Human Rights Watch: The Islamic Republic has intensified the repression of civil society

Human Rights Watch announced in a statement on Friday that Islamic Republic officials have intensified the repression of civil society on the eve of the anniversary of the killing of Mahsa Amini, which led to nationwide protests. Human Rights Watch urged representatives of UN member states to raise the 'appalling situation of civil activists' in Iran during their meetings with Islamic Republic representatives at the annual UN General Assembly in New York, starting on Monday, September 18. In its statement published on Friday, September 15, Human Rights Watch wrote that Islamic Republic officials have increased the repression of dissenters through intimidation, arrests, and prosecutions. The Islamic Republic has intensified security pressures against a wide range of civil, human rights, political activists, student activists, educators, and labor activists on the eve of the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death. Additionally, in the weeks leading up to the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, pressure on the families of victims of the Islamic Republic has significantly increased, with dissenters and protesters being arrested under various pretexts, and many families seeking justice being summoned or arrested by security agencies and transferred to the prisons of the Islamic Republic. Amnesty International also condemned the impunity of Iranian officials involved in the 'brutal repression' of protests in a statement two days prior, emphasizing the need for the international community to confront it. On September 13, Amnesty International criticized the lack of action to hold accountable those suspected of committing criminal offenses, referring to it as a 'crisis of impunity.' This international organization called on all governments to initiate criminal investigations against those suspected of responsibility for 'crimes,' including commanders and other senior officials in the Islamic Republic, and to issue international arrest warrants for these individuals if credible evidence exists. During the protests that occurred after the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini in the custody of the morality police, the forces of the Islamic Republic killed more than 500 people, including 71 children, and arrested thousands. The Islamic Republic has executed seven protesters so far. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, on Thursday, September 14, in a press conference responding to a question from a VOA Persian reporter about the increased pressure from the Islamic Republic on the families seeking justice, especially Mahsa Amini's father, stated: 'According to reports, the Iranian regime has summoned Mahsa's father for questioning four times in the past two weeks. The regime continues its relentless intimidation of the Amini family and other families of killed protesters.' The State Department spokesperson emphasized: 'However, the regime cannot force the people of Iran into silence or intimidate them. The world is watching the conditions of these families and the ongoing intimidation of journalists and the repression of peaceful protesters, and we will continue to carefully consider any appropriate actions in response.' At the same time, the UN Human Rights Council's fact-finding committee expressed 'deep concern' on Thursday with a statement marking the first anniversary of Mahsa (Jina) Amini's death regarding the escalation of repression against girls and women and 'revenge' against protesters and the families of victims. According to HRANA, 292 protesters and civil activists have been arrested in Iran over the past 50 days. Two members of the family of Sarina Saeedi were arrested in Sanandaj; the U.S. stated: 'The regime cannot intimidate the people of Iran.' Widespread deployment of government forces on the anniversary of Mahsa; 'The revolution is happening beneath the surface of the city.'