UN Report Condemns Iranian Government’s Repression and Human Rights Violations
The UN Human Rights Council’s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission criticizes the Iranian Government for exacerbating civilian rights violations, particularly against women and children, in the aftermath of the protests ignited by Mahsa Amini’s death. The report reveals severe human rights abuses, including torture and execution, alongside extensive use of technology for state surveillance and repression. The findings will be presented to the Council on Tuesday.
The Iranian Government has intensified its efforts to suppress civilian rights, particularly targeting young children, as part of an initiative to eliminate dissent. According to the UN Human Rights Council, the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran highlighted these continued violations in their final report, which follows widespread protests ignited by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022. Amini, who belonged to the Iranian Kurdish community, was detained by the morality police for alleged hijab violations.
The report cites that during the 2022 protests, state authorities in Iran committed significant human rights violations, with some actions qualifying as crimes against humanity. Sara Hossain, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, stated, “We heard many harrowing accounts of harsh physical and psychological torture…against children, including some as young as seven years old.” Since April 2024, punitive measures against women violating mandatory hijab laws, under the “Noor plan,” have escalated, resulting in fines, long sentences, and, in extreme cases, capital punishment directed at peaceful human rights activities.
The targeting has been particularly severe for Iran’s ethnic and religious minorities, exacerbating violations in regions with high protest activities. Testimonies revealed that individuals, including children and women, were held at gunpoint and subjected to psychological torture. The report, shared with the Iranian Government, comprises accounts corroborating these violations.
The Mission highlighted that the Iranian state’s repression employs extensive online surveillance mechanisms, in contravention of pre-election promises made by President Masoud Pezeshkian. “Surveillance online was a critical tool for State repression,” noted Shaheen Sardar Ali of the Independent Mission. The subjugation involved the closure of Instagram accounts and confiscation of SIM cards from human rights advocates.
Notably, the government has introduced intrusive technology, such as the “Nazer” mobile application, allowing citizens to report those not adhering to hijab mandates, demonstrating the extensive surveillance capabilities lacking in privacy. To date, the Fact-Finding Mission has documented at least ten executions linked to the 2022 protests, with additional men and women remaining at risk of execution amid significant concerns regarding fair trial rights and due process violations. The report is scheduled for presentation to the Human Rights Council next Tuesday.
The Independent Mission, established in November 2022 by the Human Rights Council, seeks to thoroughly investigate alleged human rights violations during the protests, focusing specifically on the situations of women and children. Furthermore, it aims to establish the facts surrounding these violations, collect evidence, and preserve it for potential legal action.
The Iranian authorities continue to impose severe restrictions on civil liberties, particularly impacting women and children as part of their broader effort to quell dissent. The UN Human Rights Council’s report delineates alarming instances of human rights abuses, including torture and executions. Additionally, the pervasive use of technology for surveillance highlights an alarming trend in state repression. The evidence and testimonies documented by the Independent Mission will serve as critical components in addressing these human rights violations.
Original Source: www.globalissues.org
