On December 12, a press conference took place in Geneva, Switzerland, protesting the United Nations’ decision to invite Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi to the Global Refugee Forum 2023. Survivors of the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran shared their experiences and discussed a legal complaint filed with the Swiss Federal Public Prosecutor, seeking Raisi’s arrest and prosecution for crimes against humanity, including genocide, torture, and extrajudicial executions.
Geneva: Witnesses to #1988Massacre in #Iran file legal complaint against Raisi #ProsecuteRaisiNow #No2Raisi https://t.co/GH1l9zLtq1
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) December 12, 2023
The conference was part of an international campaign, involving 350 dignitaries, expressing outrage at Raisi‘s participation and calling for his prosecution for ongoing crimes against humanity. Three plaintiffs, including Reza Shamirani, Ali Zolfaqari, and Razieh Qodrati, who filed the legal complaint, presented their testimonies.
The central message emphasized the unwelcome presence of a regime with a history of executions and sponsorship of terrorism at the United Nations. Organizers stressed the need for accountability and justice for crimes committed by the Iranian regime. Zolal Habibi from NCRI‘s Foreign Affairs Committee condemned Raisi’s visit, highlighting the international community’s failure to hold him accountable.
The press conference addressed Raisi’s involvement in the 2019 and 2020 crackdowns on protesters, exposing the high number of executions in Iran, including political prisoners, minors, and women. Concerns were raised about the influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Raisi’s delegation, with warnings about key members tied to the IRGC and the Quds Force entering Switzerland.
Reza Shemirani, a former political prisoner, expressed shock at Raisi’s invitation by Swiss authorities and questioned the motives behind the visit. He highlighted the contradiction and alarming human rights situation in Iran. Shemirani believed Raisi’s potential cancellation of the trip might be influenced by fear of legal consequences, citing the case of Hamid Nouri.
Ali Zolfaqari, another former political prisoner, shared his experiences and determination to prevent Raisi’s entry into Switzerland. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, aiming to raise awareness about Raisi’s role in the 1988 mass executions. Zolfaqari stressed the complaint’s objective: to arrest and prosecute Raisi for crimes against humanity and the mass killing of political prisoners.
Razieh Qodrati, a former political prisoner and Swiss resident, emotionally recounted her harrowing experiences during the 1988 massacre in Iran. Detained at 16, she detailed imprisonment, torture, and witnessing executions of fellow inmates, including her brother. Qodrati asserted that Raisi played a pivotal role in the mass killings and, alongside fellow activists, filed a complaint urging Swiss authorities to arrest and prosecute him for crimes against humanity.
