Fact-Finding Committee: Increasing Suppression of Women and Government 'Revenge' in Iran is a Major Concern

On Thursday, the Fact-Finding Committee of the United Nations Human Rights Council expressed 'deep concern' over the escalation of the suppression of girls and women and 'revenge' against protesters and the families of victims, coinciding with the first anniversary of the killing of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini. In its statement, the committee noted that based on the information it has received, the Islamic Republic has responded to protests 'with excessive and unnecessary use of force, arbitrary arrests and detentions, unfair trials, extrajudicial executions, and harassment of the families of victims, which continues to this day.' Sara Hussein, the head of the Fact-Finding Committee, stated that 'Zhina Mahsa Amini should never have been arrested,' adding that 'the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has failed to fulfill its commitment to provide and guarantee truth, justice, and accountability for her family as well as for the families of other victims, women, girls, and all protesters whose fundamental human rights have been violated and to take restorative and compensatory actions for them.' The committee responded to claims by Iranian officials that the cause of Mahsa's death was her 'underlying health condition,' stating that 'the Iranian government's investigations do not conform to international human rights standards, including the requirements of independence and transparency in investigations.' Shahin Sardar Ali, a member of the Fact-Finding Committee, expressed 'disgust' over the deaths of several detained protesters, including Javad Rouhi, due to torture, adding that it is the responsibility of the Islamic Republic to 'clarify the conditions and causes' of the deaths of Mahsa and other protesters 'with complete transparency and ensure accountability.' The report also highlighted pressures on Mahsa Amini's family, particularly her father, Amjad Amini, and her uncle, Safa Aaili, including at least two instances of vandalism of her gravestone, and the summons and trial of Saleh Nikbakht, the family's lawyer, on charges of 'propaganda against the regime.' The continued detention of Niloufar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, two journalists covering Mahsa's death, on charges such as 'collaboration with a hostile government' and 'propaganda against the regime,' as well as the arrest and new charges of 'promoting immorality' against Nazila Maroufian, another journalist covering Mahsa's death, were also mentioned in the statement. Viviana Krsticvic, a member of the Fact-Finding Committee, reacted to the increasing pressure from the Islamic Republic on the families seeking justice, stating: 'Under international human rights law, states must guarantee the right to truth-seeking, justice, and access for victims, survivors, and their families to restorative and compensatory measures and refrain from any intimidation, harassment, and retaliatory actions.' According to the Fact-Finding Committee's statement, 'anyone participating in the protests for women, life, freedom, or expressing support for this movement is at risk of arrest, detention, torture, and mistreatment, and legal prosecution based on serious charges that could lead to the death penalty.' The committee reiterated its request to the Islamic Republic for 'unimpeded and safe access for all individuals affected by violations,' noting that the Iranian government has yet to respond to these requests and that the committee will present 'a comprehensive report based on collected evidence' at the 55th session of the Human Rights Council in April 2024. The UN Human Rights Council established an independent international Fact-Finding Committee on the Islamic Republic of Iran on December 3, 2022, to investigate reported human rights violations related to the protests following Mahsa Amini's death, particularly violations concerning women and children. On January 3, 2023, the presidency of the Human Rights Council appointed Sara Hussein from Bangladesh, Shahin Sardar Ali from Pakistan, and Viviana Krsticvic from Argentina as three independent and impartial experts on this committee, with Ms. Sara Hussein appointed as its chair. Amnesty International also issued a statement on Wednesday, ahead of the anniversary of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini's death, condemning the impunity of Iranian officials involved in the 'brutal suppression' of protests and emphasizing the necessity for the global community to confront it.