HRANA NEWS AGENCY ─ During Ramadan in different wards of Evin Prison, the stores were closed and two meals Suhur1 and Iftar2, at a distance of more than seventeen hours, are served for prisoners. This method has created a lot of problems for non-Muslim prisoners, non-religious and the ill prisoners. Imposing restriction is while the prison food does not even have appropriate quality and nutritional value.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), the prisoners’ population is a mixture of Muslim and non-Muslim or secular citizens, but food supply stores in Evin prison are closed from dawn until Iftar every day, the issue that has caused non-Muslim prisoners, the sick or those who desire to not fast face problems.
Forcing prisoners to practice the religious rituals, contrary to their beliefs, is not only a violations of freedom of religion, but also leads to discrimination between prisoners of different tendencies as well.
In the recent months, there was similar news about giving leave concessions to prisoners who try to memorise the Quran. According to official media, privileges such as leave or amnesty which are not considered for prisoners who are non-religious or non-Muslim.
Source: HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran)
1. Suhur; a meal consumed early in the morning by Muslims before fasting
2. Iftar; is the evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset
