In the 1980s, one of the darkest chapters in Iran’s political history unfolded, marked by heinous crimes committed by the ruling mullahs and their agents. During these years, particularly from 1981 to 1983 and culminating in the infamous mass executions of 1988, thousands of prisoners, detained arbitrarily, were subjected to hasty, extrajudicial executions. These acts represent some of the gravest crimes against humanity, including murder and genocide.
There is a growing call for the establishment of an international mechanism to investigate and prosecute those responsible for these atrocities. Such a mechanism would bring justice to the thousands of political prisoners who were silenced without due process. It is imperative that those who orchestrated and carried out these crimes be held accountable.
1. Unveiling Atrocities: A Call for Justice for #Iran's Victims of the 1980s #HumanRightsVioaltions #Time4FirmIranPolicy #No2Appeasement #1988Massacre pic.twitter.com/zdqQOpX41r
— Iran Freedom (@4FreedominIran) September 20, 2024
A pivotal moment in this fight for justice came with the recent report by Professor Javaid Rehman, a special rapporteur for the United Nations, who courageously exposed the systematic killings of political dissidents during the 1980s. His report stands out for its candor and bravery, as no other official document has so openly detailed the regime’s brutalities with such clarity and boldness. In an era dominated by economic interests, political expediencies, and fear of retaliation, Professor Rehman’s work is both refreshing and groundbreaking.
In a world where diplomacy often succumbs to appeasement and opportunism, Professor Rehman’s commitment to the truth shines through. He has become the first UN official to thoroughly document the Iranian regime’s massacre of political prisoners, unequivocally calling for a thorough investigation into these crimes against humanity. His report has opened a crucial window for the Iranian people and the resistance, providing them with legal leverage to continue their pursuit of justice for the voiceless victims of the regime.
This report also marks a significant milestone in the justice-seeking movement, which was initiated by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), in 2016. Since then, the movement has gained international recognition and grown in importance, culminating in this pivotal moment where the truth about the Iranian regime’s crimes is laid bare for the world to see.
For the people of Iran and their resistance, this achievement is a monumental victory. It exposes the true nature of Iran’s oppressive regime and shines a light on the resilience and determination of the Iranian resistance. By documenting these atrocities, Professor Rehman has not only revealed the regime’s history of bloodshed but also its ongoing attempts to suppress the truth.
Unsurprisingly, the regime’s reaction to the report has been one of fear and desperation. Its mercenaries and supporters quickly launched attacks on social media, accusing Professor Rehman of being influenced by Iran’s Resistance and dismissing his findings. Instead of engaging with the report’s content, they resorted to insults and baseless claims in a bid to discredit both the report and its author.
What should have been a moment of widespread recognition for Professor Rehman’s courage and integrity has instead been met with hostility. Rather than appreciating his brave stance as a defender of the Iranian people’s rights, these individuals have aligned themselves—consciously or not—with the very regime responsible for the atrocities. Their attacks, particularly after Rehman’s meetings with families of the regime’s victims, demonstrate the extent of their complicity.
But why, one might ask, did these individuals feel compelled to attack Professor Rehman instead of acknowledging his work? The answer lies in the fact that his report does more than just document the 1988 massacre. It also exposes the regime’s arbitrary executions of political opponents in 1981 and 1982. Rehman’s report brings to light the grim reality that Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, issued a fatwa that paved the way for one of the most horrific crimes against humanity since World War II.
Moreover, the report highlights that most of the victims were members and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), a group that has long been targeted by the regime. Rehman’s findings reveal that the crimes of the 1980s are not just relics of the past—they continue today, with many of the perpetrators still holding positions of power while the international community remains largely passive.
The report also underscores the urgent need for an international mechanism to investigate and hold the regime accountable for crimes against humanity and genocide during the 1980s. For decades, the Iranian regime has sought to prevent these atrocities from being recognized as such, employing a policy of appeasement to shield itself from scrutiny. Professor Rehman’s report delivers a severe blow to this strategy, and the regime’s furious reactions are a testament to the report’s impact.
Despite the regime’s efforts to sabotage the pursuit of justice, there is reason to be hopeful. The truth is now out in the open, and with international attention on these heinous crimes, it is increasingly likely that an international tribunal will be established to investigate and prosecute those responsible. The people and resistance of Iran are steadfast in their resolve, and they will continue their fight to hold the regime accountable for its actions.
In the end, justice will prevail. And the world will bear witness as the Iranian regime faces the consequences of its crimes, with the Iranian people and their resistance leading the charge for truth and accountability.
