Parisa Kamali, a political prisoner held in Yazd Central Prison, has entered the tenth day of her hunger strike. She began a wet hunger strike on 24 November 2025 (3 Azar 1404) in protest against the “disappearance of her case file,” the suspension of judicial proceedings, and the denial of essential medical treatment.
According to informed sources, Kamali suffers from toxic thyroid disease, which causes rapid heartbeat, severe weakness, tremors, and breathing difficulties. Prison doctors had repeatedly emphasized that her condition requires specialized treatment outside the prison, yet no action has been taken.
Transfer to Quarantine and Escalating Pressure
After she began her strike, prison authorities transferred her to the quarantine ward — a measure often used to apply psychological pressure and force prisoners to end their protests. She was returned to the general ward a few days later, but reports indicate that she is still subjected to restrictions on phone calls, security pressure, and threats of new charges.
Her family states that prison officials now claim her case file “does not exist,” resulting in a complete halt to the process for electronic-tag release. One informed source said:
“Her family has been pursuing furlough or electronic tagging for months. Now they say the file is gone. This level of disorder and targeted pressure forced her into a hunger strike.”
Background of Arrest
Parisa Kamali, born in 1986 and a geography student, was arrested in April 2024 in Isfahan. She was charged with “acting against national security,” “destruction of public property,” and “membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization,” and initially sentenced to six years in prison. The sentence was later reduced to three and a half years after she accepted the verdict under pressure.
In 2025, without prior notice, she was transferred from Isfahan Prison to Yazd Prison — a transfer her relatives believe was intended to increase pressure on her. Reports indicate that after the transfer, restrictions intensified, including denial of medical care, limited phone access, and repeated security threats.
Human Rights Violations in Parisa Kamali’s Case
The treatment of Kamali by prison officials and judicial authorities violates several fundamental human rights norms:
- Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment — denial of medical care and psychological pressure fall under this category.
- Article 9: prohibition of arbitrary arrest and detention — the alleged “disappearance” of her case file is a clear sign of arbitrary judicial conduct.
- Article 10 of the ICCPR: the right of prisoners to humane treatment — her medical neglect directly violates this provision.
- Nelson Mandela Rules: guaranteed access to healthcare, prohibition of inhumane disciplinary measures, and the right to regular case review — all violated in her situation.
With her hunger strike continuing and her physical condition deteriorating, concerns for Parisa Kamali’s safety are increasing. Human rights observers are calling for urgent medical intervention and an immediate end to her legal limbo.
