A coalition of Iranian and international human rights organisations is urging governments to renew the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran. The organisations advocate for a robust independent investigative mechanism to build on the work of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran (FFMI), aiming to investigate ongoing human rights violations and ensure accountability through comprehensive evidence collection and preservation.
The ongoing work of the FFMI and the Special Rapporteur has been pivotal in addressing human rights abuses and the culture of impunity in Iran over the past two years. The Special Rapporteur independently monitors civil, political, economic, and cultural rights violations, engaging with authorities and raising awareness in the international community while issuing urgent appeals aimed at protecting at-risk individuals.
The FFMI plays a vital role by investigating severe violations, establishing responsibilities, and preserving evidence of human rights abuses. Its findings highlight a concerning pattern of state violence against peaceful protests, especially following the Woman Life Freedom uprisings and indicate a deep-rooted culture of impunity among Iranian authorities, where systemic repression has become normalized.
The FFMI has reported on concrete instances of crimes against humanity, including torture and persecution, particularly affecting women, minorities, and activists. Their investigations reveal ongoing human rights violations and illustrate the institutional impunity that allows such abuses to recur without consequence.
Given the systemic nature of these rights violations, it is crucial for an investigative mechanism to be sustained and expanded. This includes gathering evidence of past abuses as well as current violations, ensuring accountability, and addressing the structural causes of human rights crises in Iran. The petitioning organisations call for government support for these ongoing initiatives and emphasise the need for accountability and justice for Iranian survivors of human rights violations.
Iranians and international human rights groups urge the UN to renew the Special Rapporteur’s mandate and continue an independent investigative mechanism for ongoing human rights violations in Iran. The FFMI has highlighted systemic abuses, particularly against women and dissenters, necessitating robust international support for accountability and justice.
In summary, sustained investigative efforts by the UN and a renewed mandate for the Special Rapporteur are paramount in addressing the ongoing human rights violations in Iran. By supporting independent mechanisms, governments can help ensure that the rights of victims are acknowledged and that perpetrators are held accountable, facilitating a path towards justice and healing for those affected by the rampant abuses in the country.
Original Source: www.article19.org
