A multitude of human rights organisations, led by the OMCT, have united to draw attention to the severe human rights crisis unfolding in Iran. They urge governments to support the renewal of the UN Special Rapporteur’s mandate and advocate for a robust independent investigative mechanism that can expand upon the work of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran (FFMI). This mechanism would play a vital role in documenting and preserving evidence of extensive human rights violations and advancing accountability efforts.
The efforts of the FFMI and Special Rapporteur over the last two years have highlighted how essential these mandates are for tackling ongoing human rights abuses and impunity in Iran. The Special Rapporteur monitors and reports on violations of various rights, engages with local authorities, and raises awareness internationally, while also issuing urgent appeals to protect endangered individuals. Their efforts complement the FFMI’s work in investigating severe rights abuses, gathering evidence, and identifying potential perpetrators to combat impunity.
After extensive investigations around the ongoing repression linked to the Woman Life Freedom protests since 2022, the FFMI has concluded that serious human rights violations persist, especially against women, girls, and minorities. The Iranian authorities have shown no inclination to improve accountability and have intensified repression against those pursuing justice, reinforcing the urgent need for action beyond mere reporting to ensure victims and their families achieve justice.
The Fact-Finding Mission asserts that the violent oppression witnessed during the protests aligns with a broader pattern of state repression, particularly aggravating since 2017. Women, ethnic minorities, and sexual minorities experience continuous discrimination that infiltrates their everyday existence, indicating that the violence during protests is simply a single thread in a broader tapestry of ongoing oppression.
Crucially, the investigation reveals a cycle of impunity that allows state authorities to repeatedly commit human rights abuses without accountability. Historical patterns show that same institutions keep targeting dissenters. The continuation of these abuses underscores the need for mechanisms that address root causes of violence and hold individual perpetrators accountable.
To address these pervasive issues, it is imperative that an investigation mechanism is extended with an expanded mandate that explores structural causes of human rights violations. Support for both the renewal of the Special Rapporteur’s mandate and the establishment of a robust international investigative mechanism is crucial as it can contribute to comprehensive mapping and evidence gathering concerning victims and potential perpetrators.
This approach must be holistic, merging reporting, legal analysis, and urgent intervention strategies that elevate the prospects for human rights, justice, truth, and reparations in Iran. Governments are urged to publicly condemn the ongoing violations and support initiatives that eventually ensure justice prevails for the people affected in Iran.
The OMCT and 42 human rights organisations are calling for the renewal of the UN Special Rapporteur’s mandate and the establishment of a robust investigative mechanism to address the ongoing human rights crisis in Iran. They highlight a pattern of severe violations, including against women and minorities, and stress the need for accountability and justice following extensive repression, particularly during the Woman Life Freedom protests. The findings of the FFMI reveal a cycle of impunity and persistent abuses that necessitate urgent action for meaningful change.
In summarising the plight of human rights in Iran, it is clear that the ongoing violations demand urgent international attention. The collective call from various human rights organisations highlights the need for a renewal of key UN mandates to effectively address the situation. The FFMI’s findings underline a grim reality of systematic repression and institutional impunity, compelling the global community to act decisively. Only through sustained investigation, accountability, and a dedication to truth can justice be achieved for the victims and survivors of Iran’s human rights crisis.
Original Source: www.omct.org
