In a stark revelation, a UN Human Rights Council report has condemned the Iranian government’s intensified crackdown on civilian rights amidst ongoing protests. Following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman in police custody, the report highlights serious human rights violations, including psychological torture against even young children. Amini was arrested by the morality police over alleged hijab violations, sparking nationwide unrest.
Sara Hossain, Chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission, asserted that Iran’s authorities have committed acts that equate to crimes against humanity during the repression of protest. Many suffer physical and psychological torture, with alarming violations against minors reported. The state has also escalated prosecutions against women defying hijab mandates, introducing punitive measures like the “Noor plan.”
The report emphasises that human rights defenders, particularly women, face severe repercussions for advocating human rights, with some risking the death penalty. Hossain pointed out that minority groups have been disproportionately targeted among the protestors, suffering some of the harshest abuses in areas with significant ethnic populations. Harrowing testimonies detail incidents where individuals were held at gunpoint and subjected to psychological torment.
Online surveillance plays a pivotal role in this repression, with state control extending into personal and digital spaces. Government tools now include apps like “Nazer,” which enables citizens to report others for hijab violations, magnifying state surveillance to alarming levels. The report also cites the execution of ten men connected to the protests, revealing severe equity issues regarding fair trials and the use of torture for confessions.
The Independent Mission, inaugurated in late 2022, is charged with thoroughly investigating alleged violations linked to the protests, particularly those affecting women and children. This ongoing investigation aims to substantiate the evidence of abuses and supports any future legal actions regarding human rights infringements in Iran.
A UN report exposes the Iranian government’s intense repression of human rights in response to protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death. It details severe abuses, including torture and the targeting of women and children, while technological surveillance fuels state control. The report claims crimes against humanity and the urgent need for international accountability in Iran.
The findings presented by the UN Human Rights Council underscore the grave state of human rights in Iran, particularly relating to government repression amid protests. With heightened surveillance, technological intrusions, and harsh treatment of dissenters, especially women and children, the call for international attention grows more urgent. As the Independent Mission continues its inquiries, the quest for justice and accountability remains vital.
Original Source: news.un.org
