On March 15, the Press Club in Geneva hosted an International Human Rights Conference, featuring testimonies from survivors of the 1988 massacre of 30,000 prisoners and their families. The conference aimed to shed light on these atrocities and the ongoing human rights abuses in Iran.
The conference brought together nine survivors of the 1988 massacre and three family members of execution victims. They presented documents and reports to UN Special Rapporteurs, detailing arbitrary executions and the disappearance of friends and family members. A human rights activist from Iran, recently arrested during the protests and father of a protester killed by regime forces, joined via videoconference.
Key Speakers and Contributions
Prof. Javaid Rehman, UN Special Rapporteur: Provided insights into the current human rights situation in Iran and emphasized the importance of international accountability.
“I call on the international community, in particular the members of the UN Human Rights Council, to listen to the voices, pain and grief of the victims and survivors of the 1988 massacre and to act appropriately and decisively to ensure justice and accountability in full compliance with international law and respect for the right to a fair trial.”
Aua Baldé, Chair of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID): Discussed the international legal framework for addressing enforced disappearances and the need for rigorous investigations.
“Today’s event reminds us that the victims of enforced disappearances, including their relatives, have been fighting for justice and truth for more than three decades, and it is also an important reminder that impunity continues to prevail.”
Kevin Jon Heller, Special Advisor to the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court for War Crimes: Highlighted the legal avenues available to prosecute crimes against humanity committed by the Iranian regime.
“Since the 1988 massacre can be labelled as genocide, all 152 countries that have ratified the Genocide Convention can sue Iran before the International Court of Justice …”
Wolfgang Schomburg, Judge at the UN War Crimes Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia: Spoke on the importance of international justice and the role of tribunals in addressing past atrocities.
“I am firmly convinced that if we believe in a future peace and we see such crimes, we must intervene.” … “Nobody would have thought that one day there would be a real international criminal court and that many of us would be serving as judges there. I think that’s reason enough to be optimistic about the future.”
Kirsty Brimelow, Prosecutor and Former Chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Bar of England and Wales (BHRC): Emphasized the need for continued advocacy and legal support for victims of human rights abuses.
Sheila Paylan, Former Human Rights Officer and SGBV Specialist at the UN Human Rights Office: Addressed the specific impacts of sexual and gender-based violence in the context of human rights violations.
“Recent events in Iran remind us of the consequences of unchecked power and the importance of protecting human rights. The legacy of the 1988 massacre emphasises the need for transparency, accountability and justice in addressing past atrocities, without which the cycle of violence and oppression is certain to continue.”
Tahar Boumedra, Chair of JVMI and Former Head of the UN Human Rights Office in Iraq: Presented a detailed account of the 1988 massacre and the ongoing struggle for justice for its victims.
“It is very important that we do everything we can to ensure that progress is made in the UN General Assembly and also that there is a decisive breakthrough through the application of universal jurisdiction.”
Organizing such a conference in the face of ongoing repression posed significant challenges. The participation of international experts and the use of videoconferencing technology helped overcome some of these obstacles, allowing for a broader exchange of information and support.
The International Human Rights Conference in Geneva highlighted the severe human rights violations in Iran, past and present. The testimonies and expert discussions emphasized the urgent need for international action and accountability.
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