Human Rights conference in Geneva: Demands accountability for Iran’s executions

UN Human Rights council addresses executions in Iran

During the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, a key conference titled “Human Rights Violations and the Wave of Executions in Iran” brought together legal experts and human rights defenders to address the ongoing atrocities in Iran. The event focused on the urgent need for international accountability for Iran’s systemic human rights violations, especially its use of executions as a tool of repression.

Speakers highlight Iran’s history of Human Rights violations

Jean Franco Fattorini, UN representative of the Movement for Friendship Against Racism, drew attention to Iran’s history of atrocities, including the 1988 massacre of political prisoners. He emphasized the findings of Javaid Rehman’s report, which revealed that the Iranian regime has a planned policy to eliminate any form of organized opposition. Fattorini highlighted that these criminal methods continue to go unpunished.

Tahar Boumedra, Chairman of the Justice Committee for the Victims of the 1988 Massacre, stressed the significance of Professor Javaid Rehman’s report on the mass executions of members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran. Boumedra stated, “There is strong evidence that the mass killings, torture, and other inhumane acts were carried out with genocidal intent.” He urged the UN to protect special rapporteurs, like Rehman, who face intense pressure from the Iranian regime for exposing these crimes.

Iran’s role in the region and repression of dissent

Antonio Stango, President of the Italian Federation for Human Rights, highlighted Iran’s destabilizing role in the Middle East and its brutal suppression of dissent, particularly targeting women and minorities. Stango described the Iranian regime as “the head of the snake of evil in the region,” urging the international community to support the Iranian people’s struggle for freedom.

Dr. Hanifeh Khayyeri, from the Women’s Human Rights Association, described the regime’s use of the death penalty as “a method of control aimed at instilling fear in society.” She called on the international community to hold Iran accountable for its violations of international human rights law.

A strong call for justice and accountability

The conference, sponsored by Verein Welle, concluded with a strong call for justice, demanding that the international community take decisive action to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its widespread human rights violations. Participants stressed the need to end the culture of impunity surrounding these atrocities and to ensure justice for the victims of Iran’s execution policies.