Amnesty International: Widespread abuses and show trials “reminiscent of some of the most totalitarian regimes of the 20th century”
NCRI – In its latest annual report on the state of human rights around the world, Amnesty International has outlined a portion of the Iranian regime’s abhorrent rights violations in 2009, adding that the regime’s show trials are “reminiscent of those associated with some of the most totalitarian regimes of the 20th century to punish those accused of leading the outburst of popular protest.”
The prominent international rights group specifically mentions the regime’s “long-standing patterns of repression,” including widespread arrests, unlawful killings, rape and other forms of torture, executions, stoning, limb amputations, unfair trials, discrimination against women and minorities, and cruel, inhumane and degrading punishments.
The Amnesty International report dedicates a portion of its assessment of human rights in Iran to the 2009 mass protests by the Iranian people against the regime. Following the outburst of protests in June 2009, the report says, “Security forces, notably the paramilitary Basij, were deployed to suppress the protests by force, particularly after the Supreme Leader ordered an end to demonstrations on 19 June.” The protests, however, continued to the end of the year, Amnesty adds, highlighting “significant days such as the religious festival of Ashoura on 27 December.”
The report also specifically mentions the death of a young woman who became the symbol and rallying cry for the uprisings. “Neda Agha Soltan, aged 27, was shot dead in a Tehran street on 20 June during a demonstration.”
Describing some of the methods used by the regime and its suppressive forces to perpetrate “unlawful killings,” Amnesty International says, “The Basij and other security forces used excessive force against demonstrators, beating them with batons and riding motorcycles into them to cause injury. The authorities said 43 died in the protests but opposition sources said the true total was likely to be over 100. Hundreds were injured.”
According to the report, in the latter half of 2009, “well over 5,000 people” were detained, most if not all were systematically denied access to legal representation, with many tortured and raped in prison. At least 12 died in custody, according to Amnesty.
“Compelling evidence emerged that a number of detainees, both women and men, had been raped and otherwise tortured in detention,” the report says, adding, “Some detainees were taken to the Kahrizak detention center, south of Tehran, where they were tortured and otherwise ill-treated.”
Meanwhile, in 2009, Iran also “maintained one of the highest rates of execution globally. At least 388 people were executed, including one man who was stoned to death.”
The Iranian regime has been ranked as the number one executioner state on a per capita basis and the only one that still executes juveniles.
According to the report, “the election-related violations occurred against a background of severe repression, which persisted throughout 2009.” It cites the ethnic and religious minorities, students, human rights defenders and women as the primary victims.
Among the numerous violations of freedom expression by the regime, Amnesty International notes the persistence of disruptions of communications, including mobile phones and internet, to prevent he flow of information.
The report also mentions inhumane sentences, such as hanging, flogging, stoning and amputation. In January, March, July and August, a total of 77 people were executed by the regime, the report says. “At least 11 people [have been] sentenced to die by stoning and at least 136 juvenile offenders remained on death row” at the end of 2009.
While introducing the report, the Secretary of Amnesty International's branch in Germany, Monika Lueke, said, “The Iranian regime is frightening to me.”
The German branch of Amnesty International has also released a statement calling for urgent action to prevent the execution of six people currently on death row charged with supporting the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), the main opposition movement.
