Imam Shirazi World Foundation calls for reform of prison conditions in Middle Eastern countries

The Imam Shirazi World Foundation has called for reforming the prison conditions in the Middle East, stressing the need to pay serious attention to the conditions of those who are imprisoned or arrested on any charge.

In a statement received by Shia Waves News Agency, the Foundation stated, “The Islamic Sharia, the Prophetic Sunnah and the teachings of the Pure Imams, peace be upon them, devoted great attention to the prisoner due to humanitarian and social considerations, and established for the prisoner legitimate rights that cannot be bypassed, and stressed that the Messenger and the Infallible enacted profound laws in this regard.”

 It continued: “Among the things that the Sharia requires on the rulers, is that the prisoner be guaranteed the preservation of his dignity in prison, his good food, and to provide him with clothing.”

It added: “However, it is unfortunate that most Muslim rulers ignored these laws and teachings and did not give this matter proper and due attention, which resulted in a significant deterioration in prison conditions and greater suffering for prisoners.”

It continued: “Human rights reports and statements show the misery of the situation to which prison conditions have descended in the countries of the Middle East, which has replaced prisons from an institution for reform and discipline with hotbeds of killing, oppression, suffering, humiliation, and intellectual, ideological and moral deviation.”

“Many of the experiences of the personalities accused of blasphemy and terrorism showed that their deviation came due to the inhumane practices they were subjected to in some prisons, so that these prisons became centers for the graduation of hardened, ardent terrorists and rebels against everything that is human, according to the statement,” it said further.

The international foundation called on all Middle Eastern countries to review the conditions of their prisons and amend their procedures and policies regarding this dangerous matter, stressing the need to pay serious attention to the conditions of those who are imprisoned or arrested on any charge whatsoever, and to deal with them in accordance with Islamic teachings and international laws that guarantee the rights of the prisoner, including his dignity, his safety and comfort.