Families of Iranian political detainees go on hunger strike

Families of detainees gathered at the Organization of Prisons

Eight days after 17 political prisoners at Evin prison in Iran started a hunger strike; their families announced that they too will start a hunger strike on the outside.

Opposition websites report that the families have started on a hunger strike in “concern for the well being of prisoners.”

17 political prisoners in the notorious section 350 of Evin Prison started a hunger strike last week to protests against mistreatment by the prison officials, the substandard conditions of section 350 and restrictions against family visits.”

The prisoners, who have been transferred to solitary confinement, have been “threatened” that if they do not stop their hunger strike, the officials would turn Evin into a “second Kahrizak”, a detention centre which caused a scandal last summer after news of detainees being tortured and even killed there leaked out.

Yesterday four of these prisoners were transferred to the prison hospital and another who suffers from diabetes was taken to a hospital outside the prison.

The families have announced that they are not informed about the health of their kin.

Opposition websites report that the families of the 17 detainees were told that the prisoners are not allowed to receive an outside visit today. They have also been told that the detainees will probably be transferred to the RejaiShahr Prison in Karaj which would inhibit the families even more in their efforts to meet their kin.

The 17 prisoners have announced that they will continue their strike until their demands are met.

The prisoners demand: “Respect for prisoners rights including refraining from insulting and demeaning prisoners, legal confrontation with guards that violate prisoner rights, return of prisoners to the general section of the prison, unconditional release of Babak Bordbar, the photojournalist who should have been released last week, increase in space as well as healthcare facilities and upholding all the legal rights of prisoners.”