A Humanitarian Catastrophe Under the Clerical Regime
Introduction:
Qezel-Hesar Prison in Karaj is one of the largest and most notorious prisons in Iran, where the conditions are in stark violation of international human rights laws and standards. In the second section of this report, we will address the following aspects of Ghazal Hasar Prison:
- Deprivation of fundamental rights (including family visits and communication)
- Denial of legal representation and unfair trials
- Extrajudicial executions and human rights violations
- Forced labor and exploitation of prisoners
- Riots, protests, and state repression
- High-security wards and the detention of death-row inmates
- Isolated wards and the treatment of foreign national prisoners
8- Denial of Basic Prisoner Rights (Including Visits and Family Contact)
Another major issue faced by prisoners in Qezel-Hesar Prison is the deprivation of basic rights such as family visits and legal representation. These restrictions are often deliberately imposed, particularly on political prisoners and protestors, as a means of exerting pressure on them. Reports indicate that prisoners, especially those held in high-security and special wards as a punitive measure, are denied access to telephone calls with their families. Visits are also highly restricted and conducted under strict supervision, which violates the prisoners’ right to maintain family and social relationships.
Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) states that “All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.” The denial of visitation rights directly contradicts this provision.
9- Lack of Access to Lawyers and Unfair Trials
Numerous reports indicate that many prisoners in Qezel-Hesar, particularly those incarcerated for political reasons or social protests, are denied access to legal representation. Furthermore, trials are often held in courts that do not meet international human rights standards for fair proceedings. Unfair trials, deprivation of the right to defense, and government pressure on lawyers to comply with state policies are consistently reported issues.
Amnesty International reports have severely criticized the lack of access to legal representation and the quality of trials in Iran, particularly for political prisoners. These reports highlight that many detainees, especially those in Qezel-Hesar Prison, are deprived of access to independent lawyers and fair trials. In many cases, trials are held secretly without legal counsel. The 2024 Amnesty International report states that “Political prisoners in Iran are frequently denied access to legal representation, and their trials are typically unfair. Pressure on lawyers to conform to government directives is a common tactic.”
Article 14 of the ICCPR states that “Everyone charged with a criminal offense shall have the right to legal assistance and the right to defend themselves in a fair trial.” The denial of legal representation and the prevalence of unfair trials in Qezel-Hesar Prison constitute clear violations of this fundamental right.
10 – Extrajudicial Executions and Human Rights Violations in Qezel-Hesar Prison
Qezel-Hesar Prison remains one of the primary execution centers in Iran. Multiple reports indicate that many prisoners—particularly those accused of drug-related offenses—are sentenced to death without fair trials and based on vague charges. Additionally, secret executions carried out without informing the prisoners’ families highlight severe human rights violations.
Amnesty International has repeatedly reported on illegal executions in Iran, particularly in Qezel-Hesar Prison. The organization has documented systematic executions of individuals accused of drug offenses, often without proper legal procedures. One of the most concerning issues raised in these reports is secret executions, which occur without notifying the prisoners’ families or lawyers. Amnesty International’s 2023 report on Iran states that “Secret and unlawful executions in Iranian prisons, particularly Qezel-Hesar, are among the most serious human rights violations. These executions are carried out without fair trials and, in some cases, without informing the prisoners’ families.”
In 2025, Qezel-Hesar Prison witnessed several executions and human rights violations, including:
- January 2, 2025 (Dey 12, 1403): Three prisoners—Arshia, Amir (an Afghan national), and another unidentified prisoner—were executed on murder charges.
- January 17, 2025 (Dey 27, 1403): Two prisoners, Reza Azizi and Salman Bozorgmehr, convicted of drug-related charges, were executed in Qezel-Hesar Prison.
- January 25, 2025 (Bahman 5, 1403): Three prisoners from Harsin, Kermanshah province—Farhad Ferdini (35), Farzad Mirzaei (45), and Samad Hashemi (45)—were executed on drug-related charges.
- January 27, 2025 (Bahman 7, 1403): Two political prisoners, Behrouz Ehsani Eslamloo and Mehdi Hassani, were suddenly and violently transferred from Evin Prison to Qezel-Hesar Prison. This move raised concerns about their imminent execution.
These incidents underscore the persistent violation of human rights and the ongoing executions in Qezel-Hesar Prison.
Article 6 of the ICCPR states that “The death penalty may only be carried out following a final judgment rendered by a competent court and under strict limitations.” The widespread and rapid executions in Qezel-Hesar Prison violate this provision. Additionally, according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), everyone has the right to life, and no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their life.
11- Exploitation and Forced Labor of Prisoners in Qezel-Hesar Prison
Qezel-Hesar Prison is one of the primary centers for the exploitation of prisoners, where individuals are systematically forced into compulsory labor. Many prisoners are sent to the production workshops of the “Bonyad-e Ta’awun” (Cooperative Foundation), where they work under inhuman conditions without receiving fair wages. These workshops involve the production of clothing, wooden products, construction work, and other handicrafts.
Prisoners are compelled to work in these facilities, and those who refuse face harsh punishment, including the suspension of visitation rights, physical abuse, and transfer to solitary confinement. While the profits generated by these workshops are funneled into the pockets of officials and the Foundation, the prisoners are deprived of even the most basic rights.
- Prison Riots, Protests, and Repressive Actions Against Prisoners
In recent years, Qezel-Hesar Prison has witnessed numerous protests and riots by prisoners due to the inhumane conditions and increasing pressures. One of the most significant uprisings in prison history took place on April 12, 2024, when prisoners protested food shortages, repeated torture, and degrading treatment. The protest was met with violent repression by the prison’s special forces, leading to the deaths of several prisoners and the injury of many others.
13-Security Wings and Detention of Prisoners on Death Row
In Qezel-Hesar Prison, prisoners sentenced to death are held in special wings that are separated from other sections of the prison. These prisoners live in harsh conditions with minimal access to necessities. Executions are typically carried out in groups and are done without informing the families of the victims.
Some reports indicate that, as a psychological tactic, prison authorities force death row inmates to hear other executions during the nights preceding their own. This practice exacerbates the mental and emotional distress of those on death row, contributing to a significant psychological crisis among these prisoners.
14-Isolation Wings and the Situation of Foreign Nationals
Foreign nationals detained in Qezel-Hesar Prison are kept in isolation wings, separated from the general prison population. Many of these individuals have been arrested on baseless charges such as espionage or collaboration with foreign governments and are subjected to severe torture. Prison authorities exploit these detainees as bargaining chips in diplomatic negotiations and keep them in inhumane conditions for years, often without access to a fair trial.
Conclusion: Systematic Human Rights Violations and Efforts to Conceal Crimes at Qezel-Hesar Prison
Qezel-Hesar Prison is widely recognized as one of the most notorious prisons in Iran, characterized by inhumane conditions and widespread human rights violations. The forced labor of prisoners in production workshops, severe punishment for those who refuse to work, and the brutal conditions faced by death row inmates are clear indicators of the systemic repression and violence that pervade this facility. The persistent protests and riots, often met with violent suppression, highlight the immense psychological and physical pressure placed on prisoners.
Furthermore, Iranian authorities are actively seeking to conceal the evidence of crimes and human rights abuses committed within Qezel-Hesar. One such effort is the planned merger of Qezel-Hesar with the central Karaj prison. This move appears to be a deliberate attempt to obscure evidence of violations and crimes, minimizing international accountability and erasing traces of the atrocities committed. This situation calls for rigorous monitoring and intervention from international human rights organizations to ensure that prisoners’ rights are protected, and meaningful reforms are implemented within the prison system.
