The Ahwazi Organization for Human Rights expressed its strong condemnation of what it described as “deliberate medical neglect” and “systematic repressive policies” carried out by the Iranian authorities against the Ahwazi political prisoner Yousef al-Saari, who is being held in Sheiban Prison in the capital city of Ahwaz.

Reliable human rights sources confirmed that al-Saari’s health condition has seriously deteriorated since Tuesday, September 23, 2025, as a result of severe and recurrent episodes of shortness of breath. Prison authorities have refused to transfer him to a hospital for necessary treatment, placing his life in imminent danger.

Systematic Torture and Arbitrary Detention

The Iranian security and intelligence services arrested al-Saari on November 8, 2018, transferring him to solitary confinement under the Intelligence Department in Ahwaz. He was subjected for weeks to severe physical and psychological torture aimed at extracting forced confessions, in blatant violation of all humanitarian norms and international conventions.

In a trial described by the organization as lacking the minimum standards of justice, the Iranian Revolutionary Court, under the authority of the Revolutionary Guard, sentenced him to 10 years in prison on fabricated charges, including “collaborating with Ahwazis in exile” and “engaging in political activity.” These charges are routinely used by Iranian authorities to justify crackdowns on Ahwazi activists.

Organization: Iran Violates the International Covenant

The organization stressed in its statement that what Yousef al-Saari is facing constitutes a clear violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), particularly Articles (7) and (10):
• Article (7):
“No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
• Article (10):
“All persons deprived of their liberty shall be treated with humanity and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person.”

Call for Urgent Action

In conclusion, the Ahwazi Organization for Human Rights called on the United Nations and relevant international organizations, foremost among them Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, to pressure the Iranian regime for the immediate release of Yousef al-Saari and to ensure he receives urgent medical care. The organization stressed that his continued detention under such conditions constitutes a legal, moral, and humanitarian crime.

Hussain hazbavi