In a letter to the Human Rights High Commissioner of the United Nations, Reporters Without Borders organization (RSF) demanded the United Nations address the terrible conditions of prisoners of thought, including journalists, in Iranian prisons.

The letter published on Friday, December 21st, urges the United Nation High Commissioner, “in the international community’s name, to press the Iranian authorities to give the United Nations their unconditional cooperation and to respect their international obligations.”

The letter continues: “Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has registered at least 40 arrests of journalists in Iran since the start of 2018. After paying exorbitant sums of money as bail, some were released conditionally pending trial, but 13 of them have been given sentences ranging from three to 26 years in prison.”

The letter also expresses concern regarding the heavy persecution of Gonabadi Dervishes, and long prison sentences of Hengameh Shahidi, and Saeed Malekpour and states:  

 “More and more Iranian prisoners, including journalists, are putting their lives at risk by going on hunger strike in protest against the conditions and mistreatment to which they are being subjected, or to press their demands for decent medical treatment.”