Female detainees begin hunger strike after degrading
treatment in Iran
Nine female prisoners held in Tehran’s Evin Prison, begin a
hunger strike after receiving negative abuse from prison guards. The women say they often had to deal with
humiliating body searches from the female prison guards. From many of the body searches, guards were
accused of taking some of their personal belongings. Of the women, include award winning activist
and journalist. They are hoping the
strike will aid in them getting their personal belongings and an apology from
the prison. There is also another prisoner
held in the prison who is also holding a hunger strike. Her reasoning for holding the hunger strike
is because the guards have prevented her from any contact with her family. She was held for long periods in solitary confinement
and her visitation rights of her family were provoked. The women on strike are still being offered
the opportunity to receive adequate health care during their hunger
strikes. Prison authorities are now
holding an investigation based on the allegations brought from the
prisoners. If they are found to be
violating the rights of the female prisoners they are going to be held
responsible for their actions.
Because of the prisoner’s positions they held in society, I feel
they may have been targeted by the prison guards. They were human rights or student activist
who openly spoke out about the wrong doings of those with authority. Being in prison, those women were stripped of
their rights and the guards were taking advantage of this.
Here is the link to the original article: http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/iran-female-detainees-begin-hunger-strike-after-degrading-treatment
No comments:
Post a Comment