Human Rights Watch calls for release of Iranian prisoners as COVID-19 crisis worsens

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned on Tuesday of the dangerous situation faced by prisoners in Iran as the COVID-19 crisis deepens in the country, calling on authorities in the Islamic Republic to "unconditionally" release prisoners detained for peaceful dissent. 
 
The organization drew particular attention to Iranian environmentalists unjustly held in prison after several were reported to have tested positive for the virus. 

"Iran’s prison authorities should unconditionally release all people who remain detained for peaceful dissent, and temporarily release all eligible prisoners to minimize the spread of Covid-19," it said on Tuesday. 

"For those who remain, prison authorities should ensure equitable access to masks, hygiene supplies, Covid-19 tests, treatment and vaccines, in line with World Health Organization guidance and international human rights standards.”

On Monday, Iran recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus cases since the pandemic began. 

While Iran granted temporary release to prisoners last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many have remained behind bars, particularly political prisoners. Earlier this week, the daughter of German-Iranian Nahid Taghavi said the virus may be used as a “weapon” against political prisoners after her mother was denied medical treatment.

In September, poor health forced prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Soutodeh to end a 45-day hunger strike in protest of prisoners' continued detention during the pandemic. She was granted several temporary releases from prison and later tested positive for coronavirus.