A/HRC/43/61 communicable diseases, including tuberculosis, 104 HIV and hepatitis C.105 A former prisoner in Evin Prison from the Gonabadi dervish community informed the Special Rapporteur that he had come across a prison hall with a capacity for 150 people holding over 400 prisoners. 61. The Special Rapporteur remains concerned about the lack of hygiene, which leads to illness and skin conditions. Female prisoners have complained of the absence of feminine hygiene products, significantly affecting their personal hygiene. A former prisoner at the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary described the prison conditions as “shocking”, adding that the clothes and shoes of inmates were taken away by the prison authorities and that the only detainees who were clothed were those whose family members brought them clothes. According to another former prisoner, the cells were infected with lice, bugs and cockroaches and there was only a two-hour window for 400 people to take a shower. During his two years at Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary, only one hygiene kit was distributed to the inmates. Yet another former detainee at Evin Prison complained that he was not allowed to change his prison clothes for three months; he could have washed his clothes but had no detergent to do so. A former political prisoner at Zahedan Prison informed the Special Rapporteur that each prisoner was provided with one toothbrush but was forced to buy everything else, including soap. He informed the Special Rapporteur that there were only 12 beds and therefore most inmates had to sleep on the floor. As there were only 10 toilets for 200 people, there were always queues. Those who had money from relatives could buy additional hygiene items and food. 2. Food and water 62. During his interviews with political prisoners, the Special Rapporteur heard serious concerns as regards the quality and quantity of food provided to those prisoners. Specifically, the political prisoners in Qarchak Prison complained to the Special Rapporteur of the poor quality and inadequate portions of food provided. The Special Rapporteur was informed that in Qarchak Prison prisoners were forced to buy and eat cans of raw tuna and that the quality of the water was so poor that prison inmates developed stomach ulcers. Food was excessively expensive, which discriminated against poorer prisoners. Similar complaints about the poor quality and insufficient quantity of food have been received from other places of detention. A former male prisoner in Evin Prison informed the Special Rapporteur that during his 11 days of detention not once was he provided with meat, fruit, vegetables or milk. He informed the Special Rapporteur that, in order to have an appropriate level of nutrition, prisoners were forced to buy their own food, which was sold at a much higher price than in the markets outside the prison. The provision of food of such poor quality and in inadequate quantities, forcing prisoners to buy food, is a violation of the Nelson Mandela Rules and articles 93 and 95 of the Prison Regulations. According to the Nelson Mandela Rules, all prisoners should be provided by the administration at the usual hours with food of nutritional value adequate for health and strength, of wholesome quality and well prepared and served (rule 22 (1)). Moreover, drinking water should be available to every prisoner whenever he or she needs it (rule 22 (2)). 3. Denial of access to medical care 63. As a party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Islamic Republic of Iran is legally obliged to respect, protect and fulfil the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health (art. 12), including those who are imprisoned or detained. 106 As set out in the Nelson Mandela Rules, prisoners’ health care is a State responsibility and prisoners should enjoy the same standards of health care that are available in the community, and should have access to necessary health-care services free of charge without discrimination on the grounds of their legal status (rule 24 (1)). Furthermore, all prisons should ensure prompt access to medical attention in urgent cases; prisoners who require specialized treatment or 104 105 106 A/HRC/23/41/Add.1, para. 43. A/65/255, para. 29. Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, general comment No. 14 (2000) on the right to the highest attainable standard of health, para. 34. 17