A/HRC/43/20 reported since May 2019.20 In October 2019, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention noted that, in its 28-year history, it has adopted 40 opinions in relation to the Islamic Republic of Iran, which indicates a systematic problem of arbitrary detention. 21 5. Situation of environmentalists 16. The Secretary-General remains concerned about the continued detention in Evin Prison of eight environmentalists of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation.22 Although the most serious charge of “corruption on Earth” – punishable by death – which was levied against four of them, was dropped,23 two are facing a further charge of “gaining income by additional means”. Of particular concern is that one individual faces that charge for income earned working for the United Nations. The hearings in all cases concluded in October 2019, and a verdict was forthcoming as at 12 November. Nevertheless, the SecretaryGeneral is encouraged that access to medical care, including outside prison, was permitted when it was requested on one occasion, in the case of Morad Tahbaz. B. Situation of human rights defenders and lawyers 17. According to the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules), it is the State’s responsibility to transfer prisoners requiring specialized treatment or surgery to specialized institutions or to civil hospitals. 24 Clinical decisions cannot be overruled or ignored by non-medical prison staff. 25 The situation of detained human rights defenders, including reports that prison authorities have been blocking urgent medical treatment for Arash Sadeghi, Saeed Shirzad and Narges Mohammadi, is worrying. 18. Mr. Sadeghi was still being refused specialist medical examinations, despite a serious infection that developed after officials prematurely returned him to Rajaee Shahr Prison following surgery related to bone cancer.26 He was scheduled to receive care outside prison each month from June to October 2019, but prison authorities prevented him from attending appointments. One of his arms is reportedly discoloured and immobile, and his doctors warned that, without ongoing treatment, his cancer could spread. The Government denied those claims and provided a detailed account of the specialized medical treatment that Mr. Sadeghi received for his cancer, including in November 2019, without providing information on his infection. Mr. Shirzad, a children’s rights defender imprisoned in Rajaee Shahr Prison, has been denied medical treatment for serious kidney and eye conditions and was not allowed treatment outside prison. The Government indicated that Mr. Shirzad was granted furlough to seek medical treatment and returned to prison in October 2019. Ms. Mohammadi, detained in Evin Prison, has reportedly been denied access to medical treatment.27 She has also been prevented from contacting her children since August 2019. The Government indicated that she was provided access to medical treatment within the prison. 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 See www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/sep/14/kylie-moore-gilbert-named-as-australianbritish-academic-jailed-in-iran-since-2018; www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/countryfiles/iran/news/article/iran-situation-of-roland-marchal-q-a-from-the-press-briefing-16-oct-19; and www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-iran-france/france-demands-iran-release-two-of-its-citizens-heldsince-june-idUSKBN1WU2XZ. See A/HRC/WGAD/2019/51. A/74/273, para. 15. See https://plus.irna.ir/news/83515698/ (in Farsi). Nelson Mandela Rules, rule 27 (1). Ibid., rule 27 (2). A/74/273, para. 34; and www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx? NewsID=24813&LangID=E. See A/74/273; www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID= 24813&LangID=E; and www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx? NewsID=24073&LangID=E. 5