Monday, June 4, 2007

Prison Officials Confiscate Delara's Letter to Human Rights Lawyer, Lily Mazahery





Delara Darabi's younger sister, Ghazal, contacted Lily Mazahery, the human rights lawyer who is leading the efforts to save the life of Delara Darabi, to let her know that prison authorities had taken away Delara's writings to Ms. Mazahery. Delara had informed her mother of the incident when her mother had visited Delara in prison a few days ago. Delara was quite upset about this occurrence, and had expressed her regrets.

It is clear that prison authorities are going out of their way to ensure that no accounts of the deplorable conditions to which they have subjected Delara gets out to Ms. Mazahery's attention, and subsequently through Ms. Mazahery to the attention of human rights organizations with whom she works. Despite the prison officials' attemtps to hide the truth, the SaveDelara campaign has learned a great deal about the inhumane and sub-standard conditions of the prisons to which Delara has been subjected through other direct sources.

Delara suffers from extreme heat and humidity, as the prison to which she is confined provides no air conditioning or even a simple fan. She is forced to share the same bathroom facilities with over 100 individuals. Her prison-mates are comprised of individuals who subject her to frequent abuse, both emotional and physical. She lacks adequate nutrition, despite the fact that her family pays for her expenses in prison. In fact, her family has made repeated requests to deliver adequate meals to Delara in light of the fact that the family pays her expenses while she is imprisoned. Yet, despite their repeated requests, they have been denied delivery of nutritious meals to Delara, and Delara is forced to consume the meals that are provided to her in prison, even though her medical needs demand otherwise. Consequently, Delara's health suffers significantly and continously. None the less, Delara's broken arm, which was brought about by severe beatings in prison, is reported to be on the mend.

Ms. Mazahery, who is in direct contact with Delara's family, Delara's attorney, and other related entities, will provide more information as needed.

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