The UN Human Rights Council report reveals severe human rights violations by Iran in the wake of protests following Mahsa Amini’s death. It highlights repression against women and minorities, extensive use of surveillance, and brutal treatment of detainees, including children. The report also discusses the introduction of intrusive apps for monitoring hijab compliance and ongoing risks of executions for protest-related offenses.
The Iranian Government has intensified its efforts to suppress civilian rights, including those of children, as part of a broader strategy to stifle dissent, according to a report by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran. This mission, authorized by the UN Human Rights Council, alleges serious human rights violations linked to widespread protests that erupted following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in September 2022.
Mahsa Amini, a member of the Iranian Kurdish community, was detained by the “morality police” for allegedly violating hijab regulations. The report underscores allegations of crimes against humanity, with Chair Sara Hossain stating, “In repressing the 2022 nationwide protests, State authorities in Iran committed gross human rights violations, some of which amounted to crimes against humanity.” Reports indicated that children, some as young as seven, faced severe physical and psychological torture.
Since April 2024, criminal prosecutions targeting women who oppose mandatory hijab laws have surged, following the introduction of the controversial “Noor plan.” The mission reported that female activists endure significant penalties, including fines and lengthy imprisonment, and some even face the death penalty for peacefully advocating for human rights. Hossain highlighted that Iran’s ethnic and religious minorities were particularly targeted during the protests.
The investigation revealed alarming instances of men, women, and children being detained under severe circumstances, including at gunpoint and subjected to psychological torture. Moreover, the Mission raised concerns about the Iranian Government’s reliance on technology for surveillance and repression, despite pre-election promises to relax hijab enforcement, as emphasized by investigator Shaheen Sardar Ali.
Ali revealed that online censorship has escalated, with numerous human rights defenders facing shutdowns of their social media accounts and confiscation of their SIM cards. The report also identified the use of an intrusive government app, “Nazer,” allowing citizens to report violations of hijab laws, demonstrating the extensive reach of state surveillance.
So far, the protests have led to the execution of 10 men, with numerous others at risk due to fair trial violations and torture-induced confessions. The findings of this comprehensive report will be presented to Member States at the Human Rights Council. The Independent Mission was established to probe alleged human rights abuses in Iran following the protests and aims to gather and preserve evidence for potential legal actions.
In summary, the UN Human Rights Council’s report details egregious human rights violations by the Iranian Government in response to recent protests. The systematic repression, particularly against women, children, and minority communities, has involved severe legal repercussions and state-sponsored surveillance. The findings underscore the urgent need for accountability and support for human rights within Iran, as the international community prepares to address these violations.
Original Source: www.globalissues.org
