A/HRC/16/53/Add.1 who has been the subject of joint urgent appeals dated 20 December 2006, 30 August 2007 and 3 June 2009. In its response dated 14 February 2008, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran indicated that Mr. Boroujerdi had committed “anti-Islamic teaching acts” and that the Special Court for the Clergy had sentenced him in this context to ten years of imprisonment (see A/HRC/10/8/Add.1, paras. 82-83). 181. According to the new information received, Mr. Boroujerdi has spent approximately one year out of his prison sentence in solitary confinement at Evin Prison and Yazd Central Prison. During his detention, and particularly since January 2010, he was been subjected to various forms of ill-treatment, including apparent attacks on his life. From 22 to 27 April 2010, he was held in solitary confinement in the “information ward”, as a punishment for speaking on the phone about the conditions and treatment at Evin Prison. During this time, the guards reportedly threatened to amputate both his hands if he spoke of the torture and ill-treatment he had been subjected to. It is also believed that on 27 April 2010, several gases were diffused in his cell. As a result, Mr Boroujerdi was unable to stand easily, suffered from vertigo and vomiting, and had injuries on his vocal cords, forcing the guards to transfer him to the general ward. He has allegedly not received any medical attention and has been barred from receiving any visits. 182. In light of the allegations of torture and ill-treatment against Mr. Boroujerdi, as well as his urgent need for medical attention, concern is expressed for his physical and psychological integrity. (b) No response received from the Government (c) Observations by the Special Rapporteur 183. The Special Rapporteur regrets that he has so far not received a reply from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran concerning the above mentioned allegations. The Special Rapporteur appeals to the Government to ensure Mr. Boroujerdi’s right to freedom of religion or belief in accordance with article 18 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights as well as of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Furthermore, the General Assembly, in its resolution 64/164, “urges States to step up their efforts to protect and promote freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, and to this end: [...] (b) To ensure that no one within their jurisdiction is deprived of the right to life, liberty or security of person because of religion or belief and that no one is subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, or arbitrary arrest or detention on that account and to bring to justice all perpetrators of violations of these rights”. The Special Rapporteur would also like to reiterate the observations of his predecessor concerning the case of Mr. Boroujerdi (see A/HRC/10/8/Add.1, paras. 84-85). 184. In addition, the Special Rapporteur draws the attention of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (approved by the Economic and Social Council by resolutions 663 C (XXIV) of 31 July 1957 and 2076 (LXII) of 13 May 1977). Rule 22 (2) provides that “[s]ick prisoners who require specialist treatment shall be transferred to specialized institutions or to civil hospitals. Where hospital facilities are provided in an institution, their equipment, furnishings and pharmaceutical supplies shall be proper for the medical care and treatment of sick prisoners, and there shall be a staff of suitable trained officers”. Furthermore, Rule 25 (1) provides that “[t]he medical officer shall have the care of the physical and mental health of the prisoners and should daily see all sick prisoners, all who complain of illness, and any prisoner to whom his attention is specially directed”. 38