Jamal Ameli, an Iranian poet and leftwing activist, was accused of “propaganda against the system” last year and sentenced to one year in jail. He was transferred to the notorious Evin prison on April 6th 2024.
He suffers from an autoimmune disease (AS) affecting most of his spine and pelvis joints. If left untreated, irreparable damage may be inflicted on his spine with further risk of spreading to other internal organs, causing organ loss.
After over four months in prison, the authorities have denied him the right to medical care. This is despite the prison physician’s evaluation showing the “urgency and essentiality” of treating his disease. On the latest visit to the health centre, he was told that the prison could not provide his medicine because the required drugs were expensive!
According to the Iranian Executive Prisons Act, the responsibility of providing medical care and medicines solely rests on the law enforcement institution. Thus, in case of physical harm to the inmates, prosecution of the responsible authorities may be started.
Evin’s healthcare officials have only prescribed painkillers in response to Mr Ameli’s severe morning stiffness and pain, which causes insomnia. This has only added gastric problems to his existing ailments. Prison officials have also denied his right to be released with electronic tagging, arguing it cannot be granted to prisoners jailed due to “National Security” charges. Denying Ameli’s right to judiciary medical evaluation is yet another method of sabotage utilised by them. In addition, bed bugs in Evin prison have further intensified Mr Ameli’s skin psoriasis.
The Shahrokh Zamani Action Campaign strongly condemns the arrest and continuing detention of Jamal Ameli and calls for his immediate and unconditional release. We urge all trade unionists, socialists and other political activists to help us in defending the rights of all workers, political prisoners and social rights’ activists in Iran.
Free all political prisoners in Iran!
Shahrokh Zamani Action Campaign
26 August 2024
