UN report condemns Iran’s crackdown on protesters and treatment of women

UN fact-finding mission accuses Iranian authorities of using physical violence in murder of Mahsa Amini in 2022

UN fact-finding mission indicted Iranian authorities on Friday of using “physical violence” in the murder of Mahsa Amini in Sep. 2022. This accusation has sparked widespread demonstrations against Iran’s regulations requiring headscarves and the country’s theocracy.

In its first report to the U.N. Human Rights Council, the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran claimed that Tehran had committed “crimes against humanity” by using “unnecessary and disproportionate use of lethal force” to put an end to the protests that had been held after Amini’s death. The study also brought to light incidents of inmates being sexually assaulted by Iranian security officials.

During the several-month-long crackdown, approximately 20,000 people were arrested and over 500 people died. In response to these charges, Iranian authorities have said nothing and declined to comment on the mission’s conclusions.

Even with the report’s publication, analysts don’t think it will have much of an impact on Iran’s administration, which is still firmly in the hands of hardliners after a low-turnout parliamentary vote last month.

Still, the report adds to the increasing international pressure on Tehran at a time when Western concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, its backing of Russia in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, and its continued persecution and detention of activists like Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi are all on the rise.

The study highlights the state’s use of violence in reaction to dissent, characterizing the demonstrations as “unprecedented” because of the large involvement of women and youngsters.

On Sep. 16, 2022, Amini, who was 22 years old, passed away. She had been detained by morality police for allegedly breaking the rules of the hijab. The investigation concludes that Amini suffered physical abuse while in detention, which ultimately caused her death, even though Iranian officials have denied any involvement in her death.

The study also details how Iranian security personnel used weapons against protestors, leading to “unlawful and extrajudicial killings.” It also mentions incidents of rape and other forms of sexual assault against prisoners.

The report’s publication takes place in tandem with current inquiries into the death of girl Armita Garavand in 2023, which is linked to claims that she was attacked because she refused to wear a headscarf. The study cites state officials’ attempts to conceal the details of both occurrences in order to draw attention to the parallels between Garavand’s case and Amini’s.

The report’s conclusions have been applauded by activists, but they go on to say that the Islamic Republic’s persecution of dissent and discrimination against women are “crimes against humanity,” highlighting the urgent need for justice and responsibility.

Source: AP