Women prisoners face a particularly egregious violation of their rights
Nestled along 29 Bahman Boulevard in Tabriz, the capital of East Azarbaijan Province of Iran stands Tabriz Central Prison, a facility originally designed to accommodate 1800 inmates.
However, a stark contrast emerges as this once-intended capacity has nearly doubled, with over 4000 individuals confined within its walls. The overcrowding paints a grim picture of a system straining under immense pressure, where 14 wards meant for 300 each now hold approximately 800 prisoners, many forced to sleep on the floor due to lack of space.
Beyond the sheer volume of bodies, the prison grapples with a myriad of issues, from inadequate infrastructure to blatant human rights violations. Amidst the dilapidated conditions and overcrowded cells, basic amenities like bathrooms are scarce, with only five serving 800 prisoners and a mere two hours of hot water available. Medical care is substandard, and hygiene is often compromised, posing serious health risks to the incarcerated population.
Yet, perhaps even more harrowing are the reports of guard misconduct that plague Tabriz Central Prison. Instances of humiliation and abuse perpetrated by guard officers against prisoners are not uncommon, with dissent often met with harsh punishment, including solitary confinement in cells devoid of necessities like ventilation and sanitation.
Deprivation extends beyond physical discomforts, as nutrition remains a critical concern within the walls of Tabriz Central Prison. Meals are not only of poor quality but also insufficient in quantity, leaving many inmates hungry and malnourished. Shockingly, the distribution of food often sees one chicken shared among 40 prisoners, further exacerbating the pervasive hunger.
Amidst these distressing conditions, women prisoners face a particularly egregious violation of their rights. Systematic sexual abuse orchestrated by prison officials tarnishes any semblance of safety or dignity, with reports indicating a chilling breach of privacy as high-ranking officials access personal records to target and exploit female inmates.
The head of Tabriz Central Prison and the head of security access computer records containing women prisoners’ names, characteristics, and photos from which they choose female prisoners and sexually abuse them after business hours.
