Iranian prisoners on hunger strike denied visiting privileges

Families protest in support of their imprisoned kin on hunger strike

Iranian political prisoners on hunger strike have been denied their visiting privileges in prison for the second week in a row.

Kaleme website reports that after 15 days on hunger strike, 16 political prisoners were barred from visiting hours for the second and some even for the third week in a row and their families are in total dark regarding their health.

In recent days, following repeated protests and demonstrations staged by families of the detainees, judiciary officials had assured the families that they will be allowed to visit their loved ones.

After being denied the right to see their kin, the families of the prisoners have also started a hunger strike on the outside since last Monday.

Three detainees, Bahman Ahmadi Amouyi, Keyvan Samimi and Majid Tavakoli are also refusing water and hence of more concern to their families.

Babak Bordbar, the detained photo-journalist on hunger strike was finally released a few days ago. However, according to HRANA Iran’s Human Rights Activists News Agency, another political prisoner, Reza Malek has joined the group on hunger strike to protest mistreatment in prison and the substandard conditions of their section, thus the number of prisoner on hunger strike still stands at 17.

The prisoners on hunger strike have all been transferred to solitary confinement.

The families of the prisoners recently wrote an open letter to Iran’s head of judiciary, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani urging him to prevent the death of their kin in Evin Prison.

Numerous political figures including MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi have also urged the prisoners to end their hunger strike in concern for their health.