The British Committee for Iran Freedom (BCFIF) applauds the brave political prisoners in Gohardasht prison (Raja’i Shahr prison) who enter their second month of hunger strike in protest at the dreadful conditions and repressive measures they are forced to endure in prison.

Their steadfastness and determination to challenge the regime’s repression during the past few weeks is a reflection of the true determination of the Iranian people to resist the religious dictatorship in Iran.

In our statement on August 14, we criticised the Iranian authorities for depriving them of the most basic needs such as minimum hygiene products, decent clothing and necessary medical treatment. According to reports, the prison guards are carrying out brutal raids against their wards, assaulting the inmates, putting them in solitary confinement under torture, stealing their personal belongings and other inhuman restrictions.

On August 22, Amnesty International said in a statement that these political prisoners "are held in cells with windows covered by metal sheets, and deprived of access to clean drinking water, food and sufficient beds. They are also barred from having in-person family visits and denied access to telephones, which are usually available in other parts of the prison."

We strongly condemn this unacceptable treatment of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience by the Iranian authorities.

We stand in solidarity with the prisoners in Gohardasht prion. Losing these brave political prisoners would be a great loss for the Iranian people and their endeavour for a free and democratic Iran.

Therefore, as they enter the second month of your hunger strike, we as parliamentarians representing the British people are deeply concerned about their health.

If they cease their hunger strike, they should rest assured that we will continue to highlight the unacceptable situation in Iranian prisons and advocate on their behalf until they enjoy their legitimate rights and basic freedoms.

The British Committee for Iran Freedom (BCFIF) will also support the on-going international campaign to secure justice for the victims of the Iranian regime and continue petition our government and relevant UN bodies to pressurise the regime to end executions, public hangings, arbitrary arrests and torture in Iran.

The BCFIF reiterates its call on the FCO, the UN Secretary General, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Amnesty International and other international NGOs not only to condemn the inhuman treatment of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Iran but also to demand that the Iranian authorities release them immediately and without condition.

Lord Carlile of Berriew QC CBE

Co-Chairs of British Committee for Iran Freedom

30 August 2017