In a recent interview with Simay Azadi TV, Javaid Rehman, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, underscored the gravity of crimes against humanity and genocide committed in the country during the 1980s. Rehman emphasized the need for a robust investigative and accountability mechanism to address these atrocities.
Rehman stated, “Between July and September 1988, thousands of political prisoners were murdered, they were exterminated. These were summary, arbitrary, and extrajudicial killings in prisons all across Iran. There were also other violations and some of them are continuing violations such as enforced disappearances. Because literally, thousands of people and their families [are] still unaware of what happened to their loved ones.”
He added, “The international community and UN member states, as well as civil society and other stakeholders, take notice. We need to work towards accountability and ensure that those who committed these serious crimes, which I have classified as crimes against humanity and genocide, are punished in courts of law.”
In the interview, Rehman stressed the importance of creating an investigative mechanism to look into these crimes. He pointed out that many of those responsible for the 1988 massacre and other atrocities during the early 1980s are still in positions of power within the Iranian government. “Justice must take its course, and there must be accountability to end the impunity for these individuals,” he asserted.
Rehman acknowledged the challenges in uncovering the full extent of the 1988 massacre, citing the Iranian regime’s secretive actions. “These mass killings were carried out clandestinely, and thousands were buried in mass graves. The regime has failed to come up with any explanations. Over time, we have become aware of the gravity of the situation, particularly through the discovery of mass graves, which the regime has tried to destroy to cover up their crimes,” he explained.
Rehman also highlighted the ongoing issue of enforced disappearances and the continued suffering of families left without answers. He called for the international community to address these violations, particularly focusing on the 1988 massacre and the early 1980s.
The Special Rapporteur expressed his hope that the UN Human Rights Council would establish a mechanism to preserve all available evidence for legal proceedings. “While I am not a court of law, I can provide the evidence based on my understanding. It is crucial for a judicial mechanism to be in place to examine these crimes comprehensively,” he stated.
Rehman mentioned the possibility of pursuing justice through an international tribunal, referencing the case of Hamid Noury, who was convicted in a Swedish court for his involvement in the 1988 massacre. “Universal jurisdiction remains a very important way for holding individuals accountable, especially in a country where the rule of law and fair trials cannot be conducted. We must continue to pursue this avenue,” he concluded.
