UN Special Rapporteur’s Report Calls for International Investigations into Iran’s Human Rights Violations

On March 19, 2024, UN Special Rapporteur Javaid Rehman presented his latest report on the human rights situation in Iran at the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Despite six years of dedicated work, Rehman lamented the Iranian government’s refusal to allow his entry into the country. The report highlights the alarming rise in executions and ongoing human rights abuses in Iran.

Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, has tirelessly documented the severe human rights abuses occurring in the country. Despite being denied entry into Iran, his efforts have shed light on the regime’s oppressive actions and the dire state of human rights for Iranian citizens.

Latest Developments

Rehman reported a disturbing increase in executions, with 834 individuals executed in 2023, including nine protesters since December 2023. Alarmingly, children continue to be executed, and the number of women executed reached 22 in 2023. The report also highlighted the ongoing unfair trials, torture of prisoners, and systemic discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities, particularly in the Kurdistan and Baluchistan provinces.

Rehman detailed instances of violence against women during the 2022 uprising and emphasized the continued oppression and discrimination faced by women in Iran. He described these actions as indicative of a gender apartheid system enforced by the regime’s brutal repression forces.

Reactions and Impact

The Special Rapporteur called on the international community to initiate investigations into recent and historical crimes committed by the Iranian regime, including the events of 1981, 1988, and the November 2019 protests. Rehman expressed hope that his mission would amplify the voices of Iranians suffering from human rights violations.

“I urge the international community to investigate not only the grave crimes committed during the recent popular movements but also to establish accountability mechanisms for longstanding and emblematic events marked by persistent impunity,” Rehman stated. He concluded by thanking the Iranian population for their resilience and support throughout his tenure.

Conclusion

Javaid Rehman’s report underscores the critical need for international action to address human rights violations in Iran. The continued oppression and alarming rise in executions highlight the urgency of holding the Iranian regime accountable.