care professionals and may not be overruled or ignored by non-medical prison staff”.5
Consequently, Iranian law does not ensure that medical decisions that relate to ongoing care and
observation of the prisoners outside prison and the necessity of their release on medical grounds
are only taken by the relevant, responsible health-care professionals;
There have been a significant number of cases where Iranian authorities have postponed or
denied medical care or transfer to specialized institutions or outside hospitals despite medical
experts’ opinions.6 For instance, Ms. Nasrin Sotoudeh was granted temporary medical furlough
on 7 November 2020. However, despite medical experts recommending otherwise, Ms. Sotoudeh
was returned to prison on 2 December 2020.7 8
The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has not ensured that medical decisions that
relate to ongoing care and observation of the prisoners outside prison and the necessity of their
release on medical grounds are only taken by the relevant, responsible health-care professionals.
Recommendation Status:
This recommendation has NOT been implemented.
5
The Mandela Rules, Rule 27(2), available at www.penalreform.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/MANDELA-RULES.pdf
OHCHR News, https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24813&LangID=E
7
Front Line Defenders, https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/case/nasrin-sotoudeh-arrested
8
United For Iran, https://ipa.united4iran.org/en/prisoner/4445/
6
2