Death of a Prisoner of Conscience in Sheiban Prison Due to Medical Neglect and Delayed Treatment
19-November-2025
Category: Prisoners
19 November 2025
News group: Prisoners –
Breathing in Confinement – A prisoner of conscience held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz has died due to deprivation of medical care and a significant delay in being transferred to medical facilities.
According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, Amir Neisi, an Arab prisoner of conscience held in Ward 8 of Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, died on the evening of Monday, 17 November 2025, after his internal infection worsened and no timely action was taken for treatment or transfer to hospital.
According to this report, after six years of imprisonment, Amir Neisi had developed an internal infection resulting from untreated medical issues. He had repeatedly requested specialist medical care and transfer to outside medical centres, but despite the deterioration of his health, prison authorities refused to send him for immediate treatment. Only when his fever, pain, and internal infection reached a critical stage did they take belated action to transfer him to a medical facility—an action that proved too late, and he passed away.
The direct responsibility for safeguarding the life and health of prisoners lies with prison authorities and the Prison Organisation. Depriving prisoners of essential medical care constitutes inhumane treatment and violates human dignity under both domestic law and international standards.
According to the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), states are obliged to guarantee necessary medical services, urgent care in emergencies, and non-discriminatory access to healthcare for all prisoners. Deliberate refusal or delay in providing essential medical treatment is a clear violation of these rules, as well as of the rights to health and life.
The death of Amir Neisi is yet another example of the systematic denial of medical care in Iranian prisons—a long-standing issue repeatedly documented by human rights organisations, who have warned of its fatal consequences.