Iran: Free Imprisoned Gonabadi Dervishes

Dozens of Sufi Gonabadi dervishes, a persecuted religious minority in Iran, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms since mass protests in February 2018 turned violent, resulting in the deaths of five members of Iran’s armed forces and one Sufi protester. Many dervishes are in jail today without access to counsel or medical treatment, being subjected to inhumane forms of punishment including beatings and prolonged periods of solitary confinement. Iran should allow these dervishes access to counsel and public, fair trials. They should also be treated humanely in the prisons and allowed access to medical treatment.