Memorial for Victims in Berlin: International Impartial Committee Should Investigate Killings in Iran

Coinciding with the fortieth day of victims of protests in Iran, Iranian political activists and civil society activists held a memorial ceremony in Berlin. The organizing committee of this ceremony called for the dispatch of an impartial international delegation to investigate the killings in Iran.

Iranian political activists and civil society activists residing in Berlin, on Thursday evening, December 5 (December 26), and coinciding with the fortieth day of those killed in November protests in Iran, lit candles in solidarity with the families of those who died in these protests.

At this memorial ceremony, which grew larger with each passing moment as more Iranian participants arrived, attendees lit candles along a section of the gathering place’s sidewalk. Through chanting slogans, they protested against “the crimes of the Islamic Republic” and the suppression of the people’s uprising, describing those arrested and killed in November protests as “freedom lovers and justice seekers” demanding their rights.

Islamic Republic officials have so far avoided releasing casualty figures from November suppressions in Iranian cities, despite repeated requests from political activists and human rights organizations. Reuters reported, citing “credible sources” close to the office of the Islamic Republic’s leader and Iran’s Interior Ministry, that approximately 1,500 people were killed in last November’s protests.

The Reuters report stated that Ali Khamenei, leader of the Islamic Republic, personally ordered the suppression and massacre of protesters.

“Investigating Recent Tragedies in Iran”

The memorial ceremony for victims of Iran’s protests in Berlin was organized by the “Committee in Support of Democratic Struggles of the Iranian People—Berlin.” The committee announced that to condemn the “criminal” actions of the Islamic Republic, it is calling for the dispatch of an “impartial international delegation” to investigate recent tragedies and seek the release of all political prisoners.

Kourosh Amjadi, a political activist and member of the Committee in Support of Democratic Struggles of the Iranian People in Berlin, told Deutsche Welle that the goal of forming this committee and holding the memorial ceremony is to stand with grieving mothers and protest against the “brutal, oppressive, and inhumane repressive actions of the Islamic Republic, which, while massacring and arresting people,” even suppresses their peaceful demonstrations.

Amjadi added that this committee is not intended to become a political party or faction, but rather its members aim to support popular protests in Iran and convey the voice of protest to outside the country and to human rights institutions and organizations.

Referring to the fact that “the Iranian people, through their own efforts, have moved beyond the Islamic Republic system,” he added, “Recent suppressions have further shown that the legitimacy of the Islamic Republic is being questioned even in the eyes of people inside the country. The killings during November protests are also a result of regime officials becoming enraged.”

Farhad Farjad, a political activist and participant in the ceremony, also told Deutsche Welle about the breakdown of the Islamic Republic’s structure and the collapse of its hegemony, adding that unlike the Green Movement, the reaction of recent protesters in Iran is entirely reactive and they are not willing to “back down.” Repressive forces and security agents are also aware that protesters are people with specific economic circumstances and are from their own class.

“The System Is Struck by Marginalized People”

Farjad, referring to the fact that “today’s protesters in Iran were raised within this very government,” added that the Islamic government in Iran is being “struck” by marginalized people. Repressive forces are also aware of the dire condition of the system, which has lost its legitimacy.

He added that these protesters have no intention of remaining silent, and this is a profound challenge for the Islamic Republic.

According to Hamid Nozari, another challenge for Islamic Republic officials is the “irresponsibility and deception” of Islamic Republic authorities regarding suppressions. This political activist and head of the Center for Iranian Political Refugees in Berlin continued that “the Islamic Republic commits crimes against its own people but pursues deceptive policies, and on the other hand, does not accept responsibility for its crimes.”

He added that holding dozens of similar ceremonies in various European cities in memory of the victims of the November uprising and standing with the families of victims is a response to the crimes of the Islamic Republic.

Despite severe cold weather and Friday being a holiday, with holidays approaching the end of the 2019 calendar year, approximately 350 Iranians attended the ceremony. Holding placards in Persian and German, they chanted slogans against the Islamic Republic system.

The release of political prisoners was among other demands of those attending the ceremony.

Source: DW