Christian supporters of regime change in Iran say they’re “deeply concerned” about the “alarming” situation of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in the country.
In a letter addressed to leaders of the international community, human rights organizations and civil society institutions, Attieh Fard the director of Christian Activists for a Free Iran said conditions in Iranian prisons are extremely worrying, with “lack of adequate access to medical care, as well as torture and psychological and physical abuse (including flogging, burning of the body, breaking of bones, rape, removal of women’s wombs, placing religious and political prisoners in wards with dangerous and repeat offenders, forcing them to consume narcotics, systematic pharmaceutical torture, and other forms of physical and psychological torture).”
The letter claims that some prisoners are being sentenced to death after being imprisoned solely because of their beliefs, peaceful civil activities, or their religious and political views.
Attieh Fard, who is a Christian lawyer now living in London said some of the prisoners are protestors who took to the streets in January calling for freedom and a better future. Among them are vulnerable individuals and even children as young as 15, whom the regime is reportedly classifying as prisoners of war.
Others have been imprisoned for a long time because of their religious beliefs or political activities and come from various ethnic backgrounds.
The group is urging the international community, including the media, to closely monitor the situation and ensure the safety of these prisoners until their release from detention.
It also wants to enable access to medical facilities and ensure safe conditions.
The letter concludes: “We believe that the silence of the international community could lead to further human rights violations, whereas timely attention and action can help save human lives.
“We hope to be the voice of those innocent prisoners who remain behind prison walls and must not be forgotten.”
Christian Activists for a Free Iran describes itself as "a network of civil society activists, including lawyers, politicians with various political orientations, and Christian pastors."