Iran: Gefangene vor Luftangriffen schützen!

Dear Mr Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei,

Amid air strikes by the United States and Isreal near prisons and the targeting of security facilities where detainees are commonly held, the Iranian authorities have released some prisoners, according to reports by human rights defenders. However, the authorities are refusing to release all those arbitrarily detained, including those held for political reasons, and refusing to grant temporary humanitarian release to others, knowingly leaving them at grave risk of death or serious harm. Detained children are amongst those at risk. 

Prisoners’ families and human rights defenders have reported to Amnesty International that, since the attacks began and authorities shut down the internet on 28 February, explosions have taken place near Evin prison and Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary in Tehran province; Zanjan prison, Zanjan province; and Mahabad prison, West Azerbaijan province; and reported strikes targeting security facilities that hold prisoners, including Ministry of Intelligence facilities and police stations in Tehran; Mahabad and Urumieh, West Azerbaijan province; Sanandaj, Kurdistan province; and Kermanshah, Kermanshah province.

I am also gravely concerned that Iranian authorities are denying prisoners adequate food and water, and subjecting some to enforced disappearance, as well as torture and other ill-treatment, including in reprisal for protesting. On 3 March 2026, security forces fired tear gas at prisoners after they staged protests in Mahabad prison calling for their release after hearing explosions, according to Kurdistan Human Rights Network. An informed source told Amnesty International that those held in Section 209 of Evin prison, used to hold activists, dissidents and others arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence, have been moved to unidentified locations. Authorities are giving families no or contradictory information about their whereabouts. Families’ fears about the safety of their imprisoned relatives mounted after they received information that their loved ones may have been moved to the Shahrak Mahallati complex in the Mini-City area on the outskirts of Tehran, where military commanders and personnel reside. Prisoners’ families and human rights defenders have also reported shortages of food, water, and sanitation products, including in Evin prison, Shahr-e Rey prison, and the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary.

I urge you to immediately release those arbitrarily detained, including for financial debt, and to grant humanitarian release to other prisoners, especially pre-trial detainees; those convicted of minor, non-violent offences; and those eligible for conditional release, and to disclose the fate and whereabouts of all prisoners to their families. I further urge you to fulfil Iran’s obligation under international humanitarian law to remove, to the extent feasible, all prisoners and other civilians from the vicinity of military objectives. I call on you to take all necessary measures to protect the right to life and health of all prisoners, end torture and other ill-treatment, ensure access to adequate food, water and medical care, and treat all prisoners humanely in line with international standards. Full internet access must also be immediately restored. I also urge you to grant access to international monitors. 

Yours sincerely,