Deplorable condition in Evin’s women ward after new-found spread of the Coronavirus
Sixteen female political prisoners protested the spread of the Coronavirus and the lack of access to appropriate healthcare facilities. They write about the deplorable conditions in Evin Prison’s women ward in their letter.
The political prisoners detained in Evin’s women ward mentioned the new Coronavirus outbreak and the increasing number of infected prisoners. They protested the sharp rise in the number of prisoners held in the ward and the lack of proper space to segregate and quarantine those who are ill.
With the number of prisoners increasing in this ward, female prisoners’ problems have grown. Beginning in August 2022, the Coronavirus spread arose among the women. There are 60 female prisoners held in Evin’s women ward. Although some are on furlough, there are far too many prisoners in one place.
Prison officials in Evin refuse to authorize the urgent treatment of patients in this ward. They do not give them the required medications, or they delay their delivery.
Political prisoners Forough Taghipour, Asal Mohammadi, and Samin Ehsani have contracted Coronavirus in this ward.
Asal Mohammadi and Samin Ehsani were kept in an empty room for an entire night. The door to the room was locked and the guards did not bother to check on them during the night. When the two sick prisoners complained, the guards answered, “We are not nurses!”
Political prisoner Farangis Mazloum is also suffering from a heart condition and is physically unwell. Ms. Mazloum was transferred to Taleghani Hospital in Tehran on August 21, 2022, due to heartburn. Her doctor required her to be hospitalized but the prison deputy refused, and Ms. Mazloum was returned to Evin’s women ward without receiving a complete medical treatment. With her critical condition, this imprisoned mother had previously suffered Covid-19.
Ms. Mazloum was then taken to Taleghani Hospital on August 23, 2022, due to chest pains. She was hospitalized in the cardiology section and is forbidden from receiving visitors.
Parastoo Moini is also infected with the Coronavirus and other female prisoners suffer similar symptoms.
Zohreh Sarv had contracted Coronavirus earlier, but she was wrongly given common cold medication by the prison doctor. After a lengthy period, she was taken to Tajrish Hospital, where tests confirmed that the infection had remained in her body due to improper care. Her body is not conditioned for the third dose of the Coronavirus vaccine, and if Zohreh contracts the virus again, the infection can reach her heart and lungs.
Letter from 16 political prisoners in Evin’s women ward describing the new outbreak
Deplorable condition in Evin’s women ward after new-found spread of the Coronavirus
In a letter, 16 political prisoners describe the new Coronavirus outbreak in Evin’s women’s ward as follows:
“For several weeks, a new Coronavirus strain has spread in the women’s ward of Evin Prison. The number of infected prisoners increases every day. The flow of prisoners increases rapidly and there is a disproportionate number of prisoners in one space. The ward’s facilities are insufficient and there is no space to isolate the infected prisoners. There is a serious delay in testing the prisoners and the lack of necessary medical care raises concern over the lives and health of prisoners. Some infected prisoners remain inside the ward with other inmates while being sick as there is no outdoor space.
Two prisoners, Asal Mohammadi and Samin Ehsani, who have recently contracted COVID-19, were kept in an empty room the entire night. The room was more like a prison cell and the door was locked at all times. These prisoners were so weak that they could not reach the water tap. Nevertheless, the guards did not visit them even once during the night. When the two sick prisoners complained, the guards answered, “We are not nurses!”
This is not the first-time prisoners witness such deplorable conditions in the women’s ward. We have seen prisoners’ lives and health neglected in Evin and Qarchak Prisons. The increasing number of prisoners is deteriorating the conditions. Prisoners are being brought to the ward while the Coronavirus is spreading, and there is heart and lung sickness present!”
August 23, 2022
