Raisi Should Face Prosecution, Not Become Head of Judiciary
The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran viewed the possible appointment of Ebrahim Raisi as head of the judiciary as meaning that “the rule of law in Iran is meaningless.” The director of this campaign considered this possible appointment a “reward” rather than punishment.
The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reacted to news of the possible appointment of Ebrahim Raisi as head of Iran’s judiciary. The human rights organization issued a statement describing the appointment as “a sign of denial of the rule of law” and a reward for those who “played a role in crimes against human rights.”
Ebrahim Raisi was one of the members of a committee formed in 1988 by order of Ayatollah Khomeini to “settle the matter” of political prisoners. This committee held trials lasting just a few minutes, asking prisoners only one or two questions before issuing death sentences or acquittals. During these trials, thousands of political prisoners from various backgrounds who were serving their sentences were executed.
Last week, the spokesperson of the Legal and Judicial Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly announced that Ebrahim Raisi would replace Sadegh Amoli Larijani as head of the judiciary. This news has not yet been officially announced.
Hadi Qaimeh, director of the Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, said: “Raisi should be prosecuted under the law, not appointed as the head of the judiciary of the country.”
He added: “If Raisi is appointed as head of the judiciary, it will send a clear message to the people: the rule of law in Iran is meaningless, and those who had a hand in the 1988 massacre, instead of being prosecuted, are receiving rewards from the government.”
Many survivors of the 1988 executions have long been seeking justice and clarification regarding the reasons for these executions and the burial locations of those executed. A symbolic tribunal also took place on this matter under the name “Iran Tribunal” with the participation of survivors and international lawyers.
The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran wrote in its statement: “If Raisi is appointed as head of the judiciary, given his political history and his role in the mass executions of 1988 aimed at silencing political opponents, this branch will be further weakened because someone who played a prominent role in one of the most extensive violations of citizens’ rights and in the execution of thousands will take control of this branch.”
The head of the judiciary is appointed by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and will therefore be answerable only to the Supreme Leader. The human rights campaign, taking this into account, expressed concern that Raisi in the position of head of the judiciary might interfere even in the selection of lawyers in security-related cases, thereby further depriving political and security defendants of the possibility of a fair trial.
Ebrahim Raisi was one of the presidential candidates in the 2013 elections, when he lost to Hassan Rouhani. He served as the prosecutor general of Tehran from 1989 to 1994, as first deputy of the judiciary from 2004 to 2015, and as prosecutor general of the country from 2014 to 2015. He currently serves as the custodian of the Astan Quds Razavi.
Source: DW
