This is not a complete sentence and cannot be translated accurately. Please provide a complete sentence for translation.
Saqi Laqa’i

Discrimination against individuals with disabilities in Iran is not hidden from anyone. This discrimination has existed since the early years of their lives due to a structural system that does not provide equal opportunities for them to meet their basic needs like others.

Structural barriers for individuals with disabilities begin with the lack of necessary equipment for these individuals at a young age, such as suitable toys for children with physical and mental disabilities, and the lack of appropriate spaces for these children in kindergartens and schools. Schools do not have special facilities for children with mobility impairments or, for example, children with Down syndrome. They do not have access to public transportation. Even in the construction of sidewalks, streets, and public buildings, the needs of these individuals are often not taken into consideration. For example, there are no wheelchair ramps on the streets and alleys of Iranian cities, or at least they are so scarce that they are not noticeable. Those who have special mobility needs often do not have the opportunity to use the metro or bus due to transportation infrastructure deficiencies. It is rare for suitable job opportunities to arise for individuals with physical disabilities, and especially for those with mental disabilities, which greatly limits their social presence in society.

These limitations not only make it difficult for individuals with disabilities to participate in public interactions and have fewer opportunities for experiences, but also prevent the general public from interacting with them and getting to know their world. Sometimes, the general public may distance themselves from them or behave inappropriately towards them, leading to increased exclusion of individuals with disabilities from society and essentially confining them to their homes.

The point that I want to address with this introduction is the violation of the rights of individuals with disabilities in the judicial system of the Islamic Republic of Iran. What happens to individuals with disabilities in prisons? How are they treated when their cases are brought to the judicial system? What provisions does the law have for protecting them in the position of the accused? In explaining these questions, I will use several documented accounts for assistance.

Mr. Mehdi Ranjakesh (1) was 20 years old and from Khorramabad in Lorestan province when he was arrested. He had physical and mental disabilities and was under the care of the Welfare Organization. He was arrested due to a bag containing drugs found in a car he was a passenger in. He spent 5 years in Parsilon prison in Khorramabad without access to necessary facilities, including healthcare and medication, and was then executed. Did Mr. Ranjakesh have the opportunity to access a lawyer and effectively defend himself? Was the bag containing drugs his? Was Mr. Ranjakesh a victim of exploitation and trafficking? Did he have the financial means to hire a lawyer? Was he able to effectively defend himself? Did Mr. Ranjakesh even have a lawyer? We do not know, because he was deprived of a fair and transparent trial. How is it possible for someone with documented physical and mental disabilities to be sentenced to

Another example of Mr. Mohammad Rajabi Sani’s (2) case. He, who had fought for years on the front lines, was a war veteran mentally. A month before his death, he got into a fight with two brothers in a store near his home. This altercation led to the two brothers filing a complaint against Mr. Rajabi Sani for breaking the windows of their car. The police officers arrested him the next day and the judge sent him to the detention center for punishment. A few days later, a bail was set for his release, which he could not afford, so the judge sent him to prison without trial. During this time, Mr. Rajabi Sani did not have access to his psychiatric medication and despite his family’s insistence, the judge refused to provide him with it. Less than a month later, Mr. Rajabi Sani passed away due to the physical injuries he had sustained in prison. According to available information, he had been severely beaten in

Iman Rashidi Yeganeh (3) was a young man with serious physical and mental problems. He claimed to have been mistakenly arrested. According to the available information in court, the main suspect was another person who had confessed against Mr. Rashidi. The similarity in names had led to the arrest of Mr. Rashidi. However, the judge did not accept the witness’s testimony and sent him back to prison. Mr. Rashidi Yeganeh, who was in critical condition both mentally and physically, committed suicide. He was taken from prison to the hospital and returned after receiving medical treatment. His lawyer requested for him to be released from prison. The judge’s response was: “Even if this prisoner dies in prison, I will not agree to this request!” A short while later, Iman Rashidi Yeganeh passed away in prison.

Is the purpose of prison anything other than punishment of the accused or criminal and returning them to society? In addition to this general question, a specific and still unanswered question is how the rights of individuals with disabilities are respected in the judiciary? What special accommodations are made for them?

Notes:

1. For more information, please refer to the memorial of Mehdi Ranjakesh.

   Bonyad-e Broomand

   Bonyad-e Broomand translates to “Broomand Foundation” in English.

2. For more information, refer to a biography: Mohammad Rajabi Sani.

   Bonyad-e Broomand

   Broomand Foundation

3. یکی از بزرگترین زندان های ایران

   For more information, visit the tragic and deadly fate of a prisoner in Parsilon Prison in Khorramabad, one of the largest prisons in Iran.

   Hirana News Agency

   June 16th, 2016