The inaugural report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, Mai Sato, sheds light on alarming human rights violations, particularly highlighting escalating executions and a lack of transparency about detainees. Presented during the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the findings expose systemic repression against protesters and discrimination targeting minorities.
Sato’s report, delivered on March 18, raised grave concerns over the increased frequency of executions, especially among women, marking an unprecedented surge in 2024, the highest since 2015. Current trends suggest that the annual execution count could surpass one thousand if no intervention occurs. However, Sato emphasised that these digits represent only the documented cases, as the Iranian government fails to provide clear statistics, obscuring the true extent of the situation.
Addressing significant discrimination against various communities—Baha’is, Sunni Muslims, Christians, and ethnic minorities—Sato revealed that 13 women had already been executed this year alone. She also highlighted pressing issues, including forced and child marriages, and the alarming femicide rate, referencing activists like Varisheh Moradi and Sharifeh Mohammadi, who are facing death row.
Particularly concerning are Iran’s legal frameworks that grossly underestimate women’s rights. Under current laws, a woman’s testimony is valued at just half that of a man’s, demonstrating an entrenched gender disparity. Contrary to this oppression, Sato commended the unwavering resilience of the Iranian populace in their struggles for rights and freedoms.
Following the report, Sara Hossein, Chair of the UN Human Rights Council’s Fact-Finding Committee, also addressed the issue of mistreatment of prisoners in Iran, labelling such acts as “crimes against humanity.” She condemned the Iranian regime for its harsh responses to dissent and the misuse of technology to enforce oppressive laws, specifically mentioning the enforcement of compulsory hijabs that includes violent arrests and car confiscations for women.
In a dismissive response, Ali Bahreini, Iran’s permanent representative to the UN, characterised Sato’s report as “ridiculous and insulting,” prompting the session chair to remind attendees to maintain diplomatic decorum.
Mai Sato’s first report on Iran’s human rights highlights rising executions, especially affecting women, systemic discrimination against minorities, and a lack of transparency from the government. The United Nations session also noted the legal inequality faced by women and condemned the harsh repression of protests. Iranian representatives dismissed the report, prompting criticism regarding their conduct during the discussion.
Mai Sato’s first report starkly reveals escalating human rights abuses in Iran, with a notable rise in executions and systemic discrimination against various groups, especially women. The Iranian government’s lack of transparency and repression of protesters further underscore the urgent need for global attention and intervention. Despite these challenges, the ongoing resistance among the Iranian people remains a beacon of hope.
Original Source: iranfocus.com
