Health conditions of Kurdish prisoners on Hunger Strike in Iran have greatly worsened

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As reported earlier this month, an estimated 200 Kurdish prisoners of conscience have initiated a hunger strike in the prisons of Iran. The Committee for the Support of Hunger Strike for Kurdish Political Prisoners released the following three reports on their conditions, translated to English by Iranian activist, Sayeh Hassan:

21st Day of the Hunger Strike of Kurdish Prisoners in Iran
September 15, 2008

Pressure on Farzad Kamangar’s Family:

Farzad Kamangar who is currently in section 206 of the Evin Prison is being subjected to daily interrogations. His immediate family in particular his mother and brother have also been subjected to a great amount of pressure from the Ministry of Intelligence. His brother has also been threatened with being arrested.

Mr. Kamangar’s lawyer has also been warned against speaking out about his file. The goal of the Ministry of Intelligence is to force Mr. Kamangar to ask for a pardon.

Deterioration of the Physical Health of Sabah Nasri and Hedayat Gazali

According to the latest news from the Evin Prison the health conditions of Mr. Sabah Nasri and Hedayat Gazali who joined the strikes on the very first day of the strike has deteriorated immensely in the past few days. The Committee for the Support of Hunger Strike of Kurdish Political Prisoners and Social Prisoners is extremely concerned about the health of these two student prisoners and asks all freedom loving people to support and help their case.

Five Ideological Prisoners From Ahle Hagh Group have joined the Hunger Strike

According to news received from the Urumiye Prison, due to the transfer of 9 political prisoners on hunger strike being transferred to solitary confinement, today 5 ideological prisoners from Ahle Hagh Group joined the hunger strike of the Kurdish Political Prisoners in solitary with them. These individuals are:

1. Mehdi Ghasemzadeh- Sentenced to death
2. Abdollah Ghasemzadeh
3. Sahand Ali Mohammadi
4. Baksh Ali Mohammadi
5. Yunes Aghajan

The above mentioned prisoners have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms between 15-20 years.

Ahmad Tapez’s Deteriorating Health Condition

According to news received from Urumiyeh Prison’s health is in a very bad state. Mr. Tapez who suffers from a spinal cord illness is extremely ill and the 21 days of hunger strike has made his health situation much worse.

A New Student Committee has Been Created to Support the Hunger Strike of the Kurdish Political Prisoners:

Numerous student activists have started a committee with the goal of supporting the hunger strike of the Kurdish prisoners.

Published by The Committee for the Support of Hunger Strike of Kurdish Political and Social Prisoners. Translated by Sayeh Hasan (Shiro-Korshid-Forever)

A Report about Mr. Anwar Hossein Panahi, a Kurdish prisoner on Hunger Strike
September 18, 2008

According to the latest news from Sanandaj Prison Mr. Anwar Hosseini Panahi who has been sentenced to death has announced that if the Islamic Regime Officials do not respond to the legal demands of the political prisoners he will take his strike one step further adn sew his lips together.

Anwar Hosseini Panahi who joined the hunger strike on its very first day is planning to take his hunger strike to a new level by sweing his lips.

It must be mentioned that yesterday September 17th 2008 at 8pm Ministry of Intelligence Officials went to teh home of Mr. Panahi’s father and subjected him to threats and psychological torture in order to prevent him from reporting any news in regards to his son’s hunger strike and health condition. They have also asked him to convince Mr. Panahi to break his hunger strike.

Published by The Committee for the Support of Hunger Strike of Kurdish Political and Social Prisoners. Translated by Sayeh Hasan (Shiro-Korshid-Forever)

On the 26th day of the Hunger Strike of Kurdish Prisoner their Health Condition has Greatly Worsened
September 19, 2008

According to Recent news from the Urumiye Prison, the health condition of 9 prisoners who were taken to solitary confinement 9 days ago has greatly worsened.

These prisoners are being held in cells that are four (4) meters long, and are also used as washrooms. Prisoners who have dared to complain about the situation have been subjected to severe physical and psychological torture. The prisoners have also been threatened that “these cells will become their graves”.

According to other prisoners who have seen these 9 prisoners they suffer from extremely serious illnesses including blood infested dihearea, different types of infection and skin problems. Other prisoners in Urumiye Prison are extremely disturbed about the inhumane treatment of these 9 prisoners.

The Committee for the Support of Hunger Strike for Kurdish Political Prisoners is extremely concerned about the inhumane treatment of these 9 prisoners, and while condemning the inhumane treatment of these prisoners, urge all freedom loving people and international human rights organizations to take steps to help save their lives.

Published by The Committee for the Support of Hunger Strike of Kurdish Political and Social Prisoners. Translated by Sayeh Hasan (Shiro-Korshid-Forever)

To sign a petition created by the Iranian human rights activist, Sayeh Hassan, on behalf of the Kurdish political prisoners, please visit http://www.petitiononline.com/emruz53/petition.html or click here.