Why Iran has freed 85,000 prisoners to combat coronavirus
UN urged Tehran to release inmates, but jail conditions prompt concern that the move has come too late
Iran has temporarily freed around 85,000 prisoners, including political prisoners, as part of a drastic response to combat the spread of the new coronavirus.
According to Reuters, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, Javaid Rehman, said on 10 March that he had asked Tehran to free all political prisoners temporarily from its “overcrowded and disease-ridden jails”, with Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili confirming the decision this week.
During the announcement, Esmaili stated that “some 50% of those released are security-related prisoners”, a term that Iran uses to describe political prisoners, says Patrick Wintour at The Guardian.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Also in the jails we have taken precautionary measures to confront the outbreak,” Esmaili added.
Iran has been one of the hardest-hit nations so far, with its death toll from the coronavirus reaching 988 from a total of 16,169 cases so far. Only China and Italy have recorded more cases and fatalities.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world – and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda – try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The Daily Mail notes that Esmaili did not elaborate on when those released would have to return to prison, nor did Iran clarify which prisoners had been released.
“In a February report, Rehman described how overcrowded and unhygienic conditions were causing the spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and hepatitis C. Quoting inmates, he said prisoners even had to provide their own soap,” says Reuters.
Human Rights Watch said last Wednesday that it had received reports that prisoners in Iran had tested positive for coronavirus, prompting fears that the entire system may be at risk. And one British-Iranian political prisoner being held in Tehran on spying charges last month sent a recorded message saying that the jail he is in was in “chaos”, The Guardian reports. He was reportedly transferred three days earlier within Iran’s notorious Evin prison to ward four – one of the wards he claims housed coronavirus victims previously.
ITV News reports that one high-profile prisoner to be released under Iran’s new strategy is Mohammad Hossein Karroubi, the son of opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi, who was in jail for nearly two months.
It is not yet known if British-Iranian woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe will be released from prison, having been imprisoned on espionage charges in 2016.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
JK Rowling's transphobia controversy: a complete timeline
feature How did we get to this point, and what, exactly, has the author said?
By Brendan Morrow Published
-
H.W. Brands' 6 favorite books that reflect on American history
H.W. Brands is the author of "America First"
By The Week US Published
-
'Musk could receive some attention from federal law enforcement'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
A brief history of third parties in the US
In Depth Though none of America's third parties have won a presidential election, they have nonetheless had a large impact on the country's politics
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Modern royal scandals from around the world
The Explainer From Spain to the UAE, royal families have often been besieged by negative events
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Zelenskyy says 31,000 troops dead in 2 years of war
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a rare official military death toll
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published