Outgoing UN rapporteur urges int'l probe into 1980s atrocities in Iran

The outgoing UN special human rights rapporteur Iran called for a comprehensive international investigation into the systematic human rights violations committed by Iranian authorities during the early 1980s and the 1988 massacres.

Thousands of dissidents, including members of minority groups like Baha'is, Kurds, and those affiliated with organizations such as the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) and other leftist groups, were executed in the 1980s, particularly during the summer of 1988. Political prisoners were executed following a fatwa issued by Iran's then-leader, Ruhollah Khomeini, with the approval of a four-member death committee.

Javaid Rehman's detailed report presents damning findings on human rights violations in Iran during 1981-1982 and 1988, highlighting systematic "atrocity crimes" and grave human rights abuses committed by Iranian authorities, including extrajudicial executions, torture, and enforced disappearances of political opponents.

The report focuses on the summary, arbitrary, and extrajudicial executions of thousands of political prisoners, which Rehman categorizes as crimes against humanity.

"The high-ranking state officials connived, conspired, and actively engaged to plan, order, and commit crimes against humanity and genocide against the nationals of their own state," the report said.

Historical context and continued relevance

The atrocities detailed in the report occurred during two critical periods in Iran’s history: immediately following the 1979 revolution and during the 1988 massacres. The 1981-1982 period saw mass arrests and executions as the newly-established Islamic Republic sought to consolidate power by eliminating opposition.

Rehman’s findings connect these historical atrocities to ongoing human rights violations in Iran. He notes that many officials implicated in the crimes remain in power, benefiting from a culture of impunity.

“Notwithstanding the availability of overwhelming evidence, those with criminal responsibility for these grave and most serious violations of human rights and crimes under international law remain in power and control,” he asserts.

Specific crimes and victims

The report meticulously documents various crimes, including torture, rape, and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls. It highlights the persecution of ethnic, linguistic, and religious minorities, including the Bahá'í community. Rehman emphasizes the enduring impact of these crimes on survivors and their families, who continue to suffer from psychological trauma and are often denied closure.

One poignant testimony in the report states, “Our suffering stems directly from the permanent crimes committed by the Islamic Republic, and these government-sanctioned atrocities persist to this day.”

Calls for international action

The outgoing special rapporteur who will be replaced by Mai Sato called on the international community to establish an investigative and accountability mechanism to address these crimes. He urged prompt, impartial, and thorough investigations into the crimes committed during the specified periods, focusing on the mass executions and enforced disappearances.

“The proposed international accountability mechanism must investigate the ‘atrocity crimes’ committed during 1981-1982 and in 1988 against thousands of political opponents," the report says.

Rehman also highlighted the need for universal jurisdiction, urging individual states to initiate criminal investigations against those responsible for the crimes. He points out the structural obstacles within Iran's judicial system, which make it incapable of addressing these violations.

Connection to recent protests

The report draws a direct line from the historical atrocities to the recent "Woman, Life, Freedom" protest movement, which began in September 2022. This movement, sparked by resistance to enforced veiling, mirrors the earlier resistance to oppressive measures following the 1979 revolution. Rehman underscores that the oppressive structures established during the early years of the Islamic Republic continue to facilitate human rights abuses today.

Rehman finally calls for comprehensive measures to ensure justice and accountability, including the establishment of an international investigative mechanism, demanding truth and reparations for victims, encourage states to exercise universal jurisdiction over the crime, and supporting the establishment of justice and accountability within Iran.

The UN mandate to examine Iran human rights came into effect in 1984 - the first Special Rapporteur Andres Aguilar resigned after two years because of the lack of cooperation from the Iranian authorities.

Things haven’t improved since then: the mandate has never been recognized by the Islamic Republic, which refuses entry into the country by the Special Rapporteur. But Iran has so far failed to get the mandate itself blocked, which it was able to do from 2002 until 2011 by exploiting the country's voting system within the Human Rights Council.