Arrests, rape, torture and murder – the current list of allegations in connection with the suppression of protests in Iran two and a half years ago is long. The leadership in Tehran has now reacted with outrage to the publication of the analysis by UN experts, calling it “false information without a legal basis.”
An independent international commission of inquiry set up by the United Nations presented its report on the violent suppression of peaceful protests and discrimination against women and girls in Iran on Friday in Geneva. It talks about “crimes against humanity”. The commission was set up by the UN Human Rights Council in November 2022 – among other things at the instigation of Germany. The investigators should clarify what happened in Iran two and a half years ago in the fall.
Wave of protests after the death of Jina Mahsa Amini
At that time, the death of the young Iranian Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini triggered the most serious protests in the history of the Islamic Republic. For months, young people in particular took to the streets to demonstrate against the Islamic system of rule. Amini is said to have worn her headscarf incorrectly, was arrested by the notorious moral guards and died in custody shortly afterwards on September 16, 2022.
The commission concludes that physical violence after the arrest led to the 22-year-old’s death. According to the report, 551 demonstrators are believed to have been killed by security forces in the ensuing protests, most by gunfire. Security forces were also injured, but the protests were largely peaceful.
Siti-in by protesting students at the Polytechnic University in Tehran (in November 2022)Image: SalamPix/ABACA/picture alliance
“These acts are part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population in Iran, particularly against women, girls, boys and men who have called for freedom, equality, dignity and responsibility,” said Sara Hossain, chairwoman of the commission of inquiry. Hundreds of minors were among those arrested, including children no older than ten years old.
Those arrested were tortured in captivity to extract confessions. There were gang rapes and torture with electric shocks to the genitals. In addition, at least nine men were executed in this context from December 2022 to January 2024. The highest government authorities encouraged the Iranian security forces to commit human rights violations.
Expert appeal to other states
The experts come to the conclusion that there is systematic and historical impunity for human rights violations in Iran. In such situations, members of the power apparatus who are willing to use violence can always expect to get away scot-free. The Commission therefore calls on other countries to find ways to bring these perpetrators to justice – through prosecution outside Iran.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Kanaani (archive image): “Alberner Bericht” Image: Rouzbeh Fouladi/ZUMA Press/picture alliance
The mullahs’ regime in Tehran spoke of a “silly report”. This was “unobjective, biased and incorrect,” said Foreign Office spokesman Nasser Kanaani this Saturday, according to the ISNA news agency. The report is based on “unfounded allegations” and is “strongly condemned” by the Iranian government. The spokesman accused the UN commission of having been commissioned and financed by Western states, particularly Germany, to spread “such lies”.
AR/se (afp, dpa, epd, ohchr.org)
Singing without fear – an Iranian singer in Berlin
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video