Dear Mr. Chief Justice; greetings

On January 8, 2023, Mr. Mohammad Jafar Montazeri, in his capacity as the Attorney General of the country, referred to the first clause of the general policies of the system in combating drug-related offenses, approved in 2006 by Ayatollah Khamenei. He requested public and revolutionary prosecutors to completely refrain from granting leniency measures to individuals convicted under the drug laws. Fortunately, this directive has not yet been extended to special religious and military prosecutors.

Regardless of whether this directive is advisory or binding with respect to the principle of judicial independence, and irrespective of whether the current Attorney General shares this interpretation, the question arises:

What is the situation for prisoners and convicts whose remorse has been confirmed during their sentences or who participate in prison rehabilitation programs, considering that the primary purpose of imprisonment is reform, rehabilitation, and preparation for a new, healthy life?

Would it not be better, fairer, and more in line with upholding citizens' rights and human dignity, as well as justice, to have a committee review such requests and, upon confirming remorse and assessing the likelihood of reoffending, suggest the application of leniency measures to the court?