UN Special Rapporteur Calls for Accountability for 1980s Mass Atrocities in Iran
Last Updated on July 23, 2024 by News Desk
On Monday, Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Islamic Republic of Iran, released his final findings, urging the establishment of an international accountability mechanism to investigate and prosecute those responsible for mass arrests and killings during the 1980s. Rehman asserts that the human rights violations from that period constitute atrocity crimes and crimes against humanity.
Rehman’s report highlights the 1981-1982 and 1988 massacres, during which the Iranian government executed thousands of political prisoners without due process. The victims were mainly political opponents and individuals with differing religious beliefs, including marginalized communities like women and children. These actions, Rehman argues, amount to genocide.
The 1988 executions, overseen by a three-person committee that included future Justice Minister Mustafa Pour-Mohammadi, saw thousands of political prisoners killed following unfair trials. Despite objections from Ayatollah Montazeri, the executions continued, with estimates of the death toll ranging from 2,800 to 4,481. The Iranian government has never acknowledged these events, and families seeking information about their loved ones face ongoing obstruction and destruction of evidence.
Rehman emphasizes the need for an impartial and transparent investigative mechanism under international law to preserve evidence and prosecute the perpetrators. He points out that enforced disappearances, which are ongoing crimes under international law, have caused severe mental and psychological trauma to the victims’ families.
A witness testified that the atrocities of the 1980s continue to impact individuals and their families today. They highlighted the enduring suffering caused by the Islamic Republic’s actions and stressed the importance of addressing these unresolved injustices.
Rehman’s role as the UN Special Rapporteur involves monitoring and reporting on human rights in Iran, assessing conditions, and working with various stakeholders to promote cooperation. His responsibilities include investigating violations of international law and reporting his findings to the UN Human Rights Council.\
The call for accountability underscores the urgent need for justice and the ongoing impact of these unresolved human rights violations.
Written by — Athi Venkatesh AVD
