PEN Sydney again expresses its grave concern for the safety of three members of The Iranian Writers Association (IWA) and all other political prisoners in Iran, after publication of leaked CCTV footage from Evin prison.
Two days ago unknown hackers published a series of videos from inside the notorious Evin prison in Tehran in which the brutal treatment of prisoners has been publicly revealed.
Amnesty International released a statement condemning the torture, trauma and inhumane treatment of prisoners that the footage revealed. “Leaked surveillance footage from Evin prison showing appalling abuse of prisoners serves as a chilling reminder of the impunity granted to prison officials in Iran who subject those in their custody to torture and other cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment".
The Iranian authorities sent three members of IWA, Reza Khandan Mehabadi, Baktash Abtin and Kayvan Bazhan to Evin prison almost a year ago to serve 13.5 years collectively. Their crime is publishing a book about the history of IWA and commemorating the famous poet A.Shamloo. PEN Sydney previously reported on the plight of the trio here and here.
The CCTV videos prove our concerns, that in Iranain prisons systematic torture and trauma are used on prisoners. The leakage of the video footage coincides with the anniversary of a mass killing of political prisoners in 1988 when, according to Amnesty International, more than 3000 political prisoners were massacred, many in Evin prison. The current president, Ibrahim Raeisi, was one of four members of the "Death Committee", appointed by Ayatollah Khomaini, who oversaw the massacre. Right now in Sweden an Iranian official is on trial for his alleged participation in this crime.
PEN Sydney calls for the immediate release of IWA members and all political prisoners in Iran. We remind the Iranian authorities of their obligation under the UN Human Rights Charter to respect all freedoms and to immediately abolish all executions and all forms of torture and trauma.
تصاویر درز کرده از دوربینهای مدار بسته اوین رفتار وحشیانه را به نمایش گذاشت
۲۷ آگوست ۲۰۲۱
۵ شهریور ۱۴۰۰
https://pen.org.au/blogs/news/leaked-evin-prison-cctv-footage-shows-brutality