Truth-Finding Committee on the Anniversary of Mahsa: The Government has Intensified its Efforts to Suppress Women

The United Nations Truth-Finding Committee announced two days before the second anniversary of Mahsa Zhina Amini's death in the custody of the morality police, which led to the formation of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement, that the Iranian government has intensified its efforts to suppress the fundamental rights of women and girls and to eliminate other women's activities. In a statement released on Friday, September 23, the committee, which investigates the suppression of protests in Iran, stated that despite the decrease in widespread protests two years after Mahsa's death, the government's security forces have intensified previous patterns of violence, including beating, kicking, and slapping women and girls who apparently do not comply with mandatory hijab laws. Human Rights Watch previously reported on Tuesday, September 20, that Iranian government officials have arrested, threatened, or harassed the family members of dozens of individuals who have been killed, executed, or imprisoned during the protests over the past two years on false charges. According to this report, two years after the start of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests in 1401 (2022), the Islamic Republic continues to silence and punish the families of those seeking justice who demand accountability from the government for the violations of the rights of their family members and relatives. This human rights organization has urged the Iranian judiciary to 'immediately release the unlawfully detained family members and ensure fair trials and transparent judicial processes for anyone accused of a crime.' The morality police arrested Mahsa Zhina Amini in September 1401 due to her attire, which led to her death in police custody. The UN Truth-Finding Committee emphasized in its recent report that the Iranian government is still seeking to implement the 'Hijab and Chastity Bill,' which is in the final stages for approval by the Guardian Council and is 'expected to be finalized soon.' The UN committee also expressed 'serious concern' about 'a new pattern of issuing death sentences for women activists' and noted that over the past two years, the death penalty and other criminal sentences, especially those related to 'national security,' have been a deterrent tool in the hands of the Iranian government to 'intimidate Iranians' from protesting and expressing their opinions freely. According to this truth-finding committee, this trend has impacted the families of protest victims, journalists, human rights defenders, and other government critics. In the conclusion of their report, committee members pointed out the Iranian government's lack of accountability and emphasized that gross human rights violations are ongoing in Iran, urging UN member states to enhance efforts to ensure the rights of victims and their families in order to achieve justice, truth, and reparations. This UN body has also called on countries around the world to continue prioritizing the situation of women and girls in the Islamic Republic of Iran on the international agenda. Reports indicate that the Islamic Republic of Iran has intensified security measures in various areas, including Kurdistan Province and specifically in the city of Saqez, due to concerns about events surrounding the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death. In this context, Amjad Amini, Mahsa's father, stated on September 22 in a message to Radio Farda that if the Iranian government does not impose the restrictions of the previous year, given the numerous calls and requests from the public, the anniversary ceremony for his 22-year-old daughter will be held on Sunday, September 25. During the suppression of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, approximately 500 citizens were killed, of which Radio Farda has managed to confirm the identities of at least 373 of them.