Fact-Finding Committee on Iran Protests: The Islamic Republic has Committed 'Crimes Against Humanity'

Sara Hussein, head of the fact-finding committee on the protests in Iran, on Monday, March 19, addressed the Human Rights Council of the United Nations in Geneva, accusing the Islamic Republic of committing 'crimes against humanity.' According to her, some of the systematic attacks by the Islamic Republic against civilians, particularly killings, sexual assaults, torture, intimidation, and repression based on ethnic and religious issues, constitute 'crimes against humanity.' Sara Hussein referred to the establishment of the fact-finding committee regarding the protests in Iran in November 2022 by the UN Human Rights Council, stating that unfortunately, the Islamic Republic has not responded to requests for the committee's visit to Iran during this period. Ms. Hussein added that despite all the restrictions, the fact-finding committee managed to collect 27,000 documents and evidence from inside Iran. The head of the fact-finding committee described the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini while in custody as an 'illegal death' and called for holding the Iranian government accountable in this regard. According to Sara Hussein, the Islamic Republic mobilized all its forces to suppress the protests and used weapons such as Kalashnikovs and shotgun pellets against the protesters. She recalled the killing of at least 103 people during the 'Bloody Friday' in Zahedan, stating that the Islamic Republic used firearms against the eyes, faces, and sexual organs of the protesters during the suppression of the protests. Ms. Hussein mentioned that agents of the Islamic Republic threatened one of the protesters injured in the eye, warning that if he did not stop protesting, they would blind his other eye as well. The head of the fact-finding committee further stated that detainees, including women and girls, had no means of communication with the outside world, and the dignity of the detainees was violated. She noted that some detainees had been subjected to sexual and gender-based violence and sexual assault, with agents of the Islamic Republic telling them, 'This is the freedom you were looking for!' Sara Hussein also expressed serious concern over the issuance of at least 26 death sentences related to the protests by the Iranian judiciary. According to her, the Iranian government, while refusing to acknowledge the suffering and pain inflicted on the protesters, has been trying to silence the families of the victims through various means, and many of the victims' families are even afraid to mourn. The head of the fact-finding committee emphasized that the Islamic Republic has committed human rights violations, including the right to life, the right not to be tortured, and the right to protection against sexual and gender-based violence. According to Sara Hussein, the international community must express solidarity with the victims and take concrete actions to support them, and in this regard, holding those responsible for human rights violations accountable is essential. Kazem Gharibabadi, Secretary-General of the Iranian High Council for Human Rights, in response to Sara Hussein's remarks, claimed that the fact-finding committee was formed as a result of 'lobbying and political deals.' He devoted a significant portion of his remarks to the unrelated topic of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, claiming that the report of the fact-finding committee lacks independence. The representative of the Islamic Republic further referred to the peaceful protests of Iranian citizens as 'riots' and reiterated the baseless claim that foreign countries intervened in them. Following the statements of Sara Hussein and Kazem Gharibabadi, representatives from several countries present at the session announced their positions regarding the fact-finding committee's report. Representatives from the United States, the European Union, and several European countries, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Israel, and Costa Rica, representing 54 countries, expressed support for the fact-finding committee's report and called for the extension of the committee's mandate and for holding the Islamic Republic accountable for the suppression of protesters. The U.S. representative, in his remarks, recalled the brutality of the Islamic Republic's agents in suppressing the protests of 'the brave people of Iran,' stating that more than 500 Iranians lost their lives in these suppressions. The Israeli representative, while supporting the fact-finding committee's report, stated that Iranian women and girls are constantly fighting for their rights. The German representative condemned the suppression of protesters, including Iranian women and girls, stating that the Islamic Republic must end the impunity of its agents and the suppression of protesters. The Italian representative strongly condemned the execution of opponents by the Islamic Republic of Iran, stating that violations of the rights of women and girls in Iran must stop, and those responsible must be held accountable. The French representative also condemned the execution of protesters by the Islamic Republic, calling for an end to violence against Iranian women and girls. However, representatives from four countries—Sri Lanka, Russia, Zimbabwe, and Venezuela—opposed the fact-finding committee's report. The Russian representative condemned the 'political use of human rights tools' and stated that his country strongly opposes some of the fact-finding committee's proposals. The significance of the UN fact-finding committee's report on the human rights situation in Iran was discussed with Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam. Narges Mohammadi's letter to the UN Human Rights Council: The authoritarian religious regime of the Islamic Republic has committed crimes against humanity. The U.S.: The work of the fact-finding committee must continue; human rights violations in Iran are 'terrifying' and 'concerning.' Ansiyeh Khazali, in a meeting with the head of the Commission on the Status of Women, stated that the expulsion of the Islamic Republic from this commission was 'unjust.' The U.S. ambassador to the UN Human Rights Council condemned the 'oppressive' actions of the Iranian regime against its citizens. The final report by Javaid Rehman to the UN Human Rights Council; concerning human rights situation and a 43% increase in executions in Iran. Exclusive: 'Highly confidential' documents from the Islamic Republic regarding the protests of 1998 and 1401: scare the people with insecurity. The U.S. State Department: We continue to explore all tools to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations in Iran. The U.S. called for the continuation of the fact-finding committee's mandate regarding serious human rights violations in Iran. The sixteenth annual report on the death penalty in Iran; the Islamic Republic is the leading country in the execution of women in the world.