Rally of Iranian emigrants in Sweden. UN experts: repression in Iran continues Human Rights
The crackdown in Iran continues, and the country’s government is held accountable for “egregious human rights violations” committed in the context of protests that began on September 16, 2022, over the death of a young woman in “morality police” custody. This was stated at the Human Rights Council by Sarah Hossein, Chairperson of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Numerous violations
According to her, violations include extrajudicial killings, disproportionate use of force, arbitrary arrests, torture and ill-treatment, rape and sexual violence, enforced disappearances and gender-based persecution.
These acts, the speaker noted, were committed in the context of widespread and systematic attacks against women and girls, as well as human rights defenders. “Some of these serious human rights violations fall under the definition of crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, rape, and gender-based persecution based on ethnicity and religion,” Hossain added.
Fact Finding Mission
Let us recall that the UN Human Rights Council established a Fact-Finding Mission to Iran in November 2022. The authorities of the Islamic Republic not only refuse to cooperate with her, but also persecute those who testify to her. However, despite these difficulties, the three experts included in the Mission collected and preserved more than 27,000 pieces of evidence of violations committed. A total of 134 interviews were conducted with victims and witnesses both within and outside the country.
Historical and systemic impunity has deprived society of any hope for justice and reparations
In addition, the Mission examined official documents of the Iranian government, including public statements by officials, as well as 41 reports of the Iranian High Council for Human Rights (received by other UN bodies), and exchanged views with the Iranian ” Select Committee Inquiry into the 2022 Riots.”
Death in Police
In the case of Gina Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman whose death in custody sparked protests in September 2022, the Mission found that physical abuse she suffered while in government custody led to her death.
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After the death of Gina Mahsa, protests broke out across the country, which grew into the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. Young women and even schoolgirls were at the forefront of the protests, with many removing their headscarves in public in defiance of long-standing discriminatory laws and practices. Men and boys, as well as people from different walks of life, including minorities, joined the protests demanding equality, justice, social and political reforms.
Forceful suppression of protests
The entire state apparatus mobilized to suppress the protests, including with the use of firearms. As a result, 551 people died, including at least 49 women and 68 children. The mission confirmed government reports that some 54 security forces were also killed and many others were injured.
“We’ll come for the second eye”
The victims were denied medical care, sometimes for several months after the injury, however, some continued to receive threats when they spoke about their injuries. “The protesting woman, who was blinded in one eye, was told by security forces that they would ‘track her down and come for her other eye,’” the speaker said.
Wrongful Arrests and Sexual Violence
The Iranian government announced that 22,000 people had been pardoned in connection with the protests. This suggests that many more people were detained. Many were kept incommunicado and in inhumane conditions. People were often subjected to sexual and gender-based violence, including gang rape, and were beaten, flogged, or given electric shocks. “The security forces sought to punish women, in particular, for their participation in the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, justifying the use of sexual violence by saying that it was “the freedom they wanted,” said the head of the Mission.
Children were subjected to extrajudicial killings, torture, rape, and were detained on par with adults. Others were taken to juvenile detention centers or mental institutions for the purpose of “reforming” them. 62~Most of those tried in connection with the protests were tried in revolutionary courts on vague charges of “corruption on earth” or “waging war against God.” Many were denied access to a lawyer of their choice. Judges showed clear bias against protesters, systematically rejecting complaints of rape, torture and ill-treatment.
Death sentences
At least nine young men were arbitrarily executed as a result of “hasty and improper trials.” Iranian courts have handed down at least 26 death sentences to people involved in the protests.
Impunity
A year and a half has passed since the start of the protests, and the Iranian government is doing everything to keep the victims and their families silent. In addition, authorities persecute those who support them, including journalists and lawyers.
“The primary responsibility and duty to protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms lies with the state. However, in the context of Iran, historical and systemic impunity has deprived society of any hope for justice and reparation,” the speaker noted. She called on the Iranian authorities to immediately take concrete measures to stop executions, release all those arbitrarily detained in connection with the protests, including women arrested for disobeying the mandatory wearing of the hijab, end the prosecution of victims and their families, provide them with reparations, and dismantle the system of unlawful persecution people.