We are Concerned about the Situation of Political Prisoners, Foreign Hostages in Prison and Afghans Living in Iran

To:     United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,

European Parliament Human Rights Commission

The 12-day war between Israel and the United States with the Islamic Republic of Iran resulted in casualties, economic losses, and infrastructure destruction in both countries, Iran and Israel, and especially Iran. The current ceasefire between the warring parties is coincided by deep concern about the creation of a security, arrest and detention atmosphere inside Iran. The victims of this security atmosphere are not only political and civil activists in Iran, but also all those who are in the regime’s prisons and hostages of its repression and terror apparatus. Currently, foreign or dual national hostages who have been detained on trumped-up charges over the past years are now facing new and more serious charges. Two French trade union activists, Cecile Caller, 40, and her partner, Jacques Paris, 73, were yesterday charged with being Mossad spies and “corruptors on earth” after 3 years of detention in Evin prison.

In order to maintain the atmosphere of war, the Islamic Republic regime is currently pressuring and prosecuting Afghan citizens living in Iran and forcing them to leave Iran en masse. According to the UN statistics, 450,000 Afghans have been expelled from Iran in the past month alone.

The Islamic Republic regime, following the loss of its senior military officials in this war, is seeking revenge on the Iranian people, especially political prisoners. Foreign prisoners and Afghan refugees are other victims of the regime’s repression policy. This violent and intimidatory practice at home is threatening Afghan political prisoners and refugees with greater intensity.

We express our deep concern about the situation of political prisoners, foreign nationals in prisons of the Islamic Republic, and Afghan refugees. We ask you to make every effort to ensure that the lives of these prisoners do not become victims of the regime’s disputes with European countries and the United States, through dialogue and interaction with the relevant authorities of the Islamic Republic. We also ask you to make the necessary efforts regarding the fate of the millions of Afghans who have lived in Iran as refugees or asylum seekers. The lives of women, children and families of millions of Afghans living in Iran should not be allowed to be violated.

International Relations Working Group

The Left Party of Iran

July 6, 2025