UN Fact-Finding Committee: Islamic Republic Must Answer for Its Crimes

The UN Fact-Finding Committee, in a report, emphasized the need for the Islamic Republic to be accountable for crimes committed.

The UN Fact-Finding Committee submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday, March 17, equivalent to March 27 in the Persian calendar, emphasizing the accountability of the Islamic Republic for crimes committed in suppressing the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement.

The Fact-Finding Committee prepared this 252-page report based on at least 38,000 judicial and medical documents and more than 285 interviews with protesters, families of victims, and those affected, and emphasized in it: “The Islamic Republic, in suppressing the 2022 protests, committed gross violations of human rights, some of which constitute crimes against humanity.”

“Sara Hussain,” head of the Fact-Finding Committee, stated in her remarks at this session: “The suppression of women has evolved from physical violence to newer methods such as silencing, surveillance, and the use of technologies like facial recognition.” The report also examined severe violations of the rights of religious and ethnic minorities, including Christians, Baha’is, Kurds, and Baloch people.

The report specifically focuses on pressure on minorities, including religious and sectarian minorities, treatment of children, increased executions as a tool of psychological torture against detainees, and the rise in these sentences. According to the report, two years after the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests, women continue to face systematic discrimination by the Islamic Republic, both legally and practically. Additionally, pressure and threats against families of victims to remain silent, pressure on lawyers, human rights activists, and journalists continue. The report also states that the Islamic Republic uses digital tools to suppress civil society.

Representatives from Spain and Argentina also criticized widespread violations of the rights of religious and sectarian minorities in Iran. The Argentine representative, in a message to Iran, said: “Freedom of worship and expression must be guaranteed in the most complete way possible, and legal provisions that negatively affect these rights should be repealed.”

The Italian representative also stated in a message: “The Islamic Republic must take necessary measures to ensure religious freedom and ensure that all people are treated equally and can practice their faith in peace and security.”

The Fact-Finding Committee emphasized in the UN Human Rights Council session that the Iranian government has denied responsibility for gross human rights violations, and victims continue to be deprived of justice and their social rights. The Fact-Finding Committee suggested that an independent body should be established to pursue cases of human rights violations and crimes against humanity in Iran, and this body should cooperate with international judicial bodies that operate in accordance with human rights standards and continue its work through close consultation with victims, survivors, civil society, and the UN human rights mechanisms.

“Ali Bahreyni,” representative of the Islamic Republic at the United Nations, following the presentation of the Fact-Finding Committee’s report and the report of “May Sato,” the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, entered the Human Rights Council chamber and delivered a speech, describing the Fact-Finding Committee as a creation of global arrogance, condemned Israel, and then left the council chamber.

The Islamic Republic government, despite documented evidence and multiple reports from international organizations, continues to deny human rights violations and crimes committed against the Iranian people. Following the presentation of the Fact-Finding Committee’s reports, it was decided that a vote would be held before the end of the UN Human Rights Council session on April 4 to extend the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur and the Fact-Finding Committee.