On March 13, 2025, a conference was held at the UN European Headquarters in Geneva, focusing on human rights violations in Iran, especially the increase in executions. Spearheaded by various prominent figures, including legal experts and former political prisoners, the conference urged the international community to hold Iran accountable for past and ongoing atrocities. The discussions also emphasized the specific violence against women and the importance of continued international advocacy.
On March 13, 2025, a significant conference addressing human rights violations in Iran was convened at the United Nations European Headquarters in Geneva. Prompted by the escalating issues of executions within the nation, the event gathered political figures, legal experts, former political prisoners, and the families of individuals who were executed. The conference aimed to raise awareness and advocate for a forceful international response to the Iranian regime’s actions.
Distinguished speakers at the event emphasized the pressing need for global accountability regarding the Iranian authorities, particularly concerning the 1988 massacre of political prisoners and ongoing violations of human rights. Among the prominent figures were Kirsty Brimelow, former Chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Bar of England and Wales, and Claude Nicati, former Deputy Attorney General of Switzerland, who shared their insights on these critical issues.
Mojgan Joulaee, the event’s moderator, opened by highlighting the alarming increase in executions and the extensive range of human rights violations in Iran. She urged for heightened international scrutiny and collective efforts to pursue justice for the victims and their families. Her assertion underscored the gravity of Iran’s human rights landscape.
Kirsty Brimelow underscored the brutality of the 1988 executions, describing them as a systematic campaign against civilians that accounted for approximately 30,000 killings. She pointed to the nature of the executions as violations of international treaties to which Iran is a signatory, thereby calling for a concerted effort to document evidence for potential accountability.
Claude Nicati addressed the unresolved case of Dr. Kazem Rajavi, emphasizing that impunity for past atrocities encourages the ongoing execution policies. He noted that without significant international intervention, the current wave of executions would continue unabated. Nicati’s warnings highlighted the Iranian judiciary’s lack of independence and its role in repressing dissent.
Sahar Sanaii drew attention to the regime’s particular violence against women, noting that Iran possesses one of the world’s highest rates of female executions. Despite relentless oppression, she applauded Iranian women for their leadership in the quest for freedom, as demonstrated during the 2022 uprisings, and called for continued international support for these activists.
Italian Senator Roberto Rampi condemned the Iranian regime’s tactic of state hostage-taking, referencing recent incidents where the regime detained Western nationals to manipulate governments. He cautioned against the repercussions of leniency shown by Western nations, which might further enable Tehran’s state-sponsored terrorism
Behrooz Maqsoudi shared a poignant account of his family’s loss, stating that three of his uncles were executed for their political beliefs in the 1980s. He underscored the importance of campaigns such as “No to Executions,” which resonate within Iranian prisons, advocating against the brutality of the regime.
Behzad Naziri concluded the conference by linking the 1988 executions to the ongoing wave of state-sponsored violence, emphasizing that the regime perpetuates executions as a means to quash opposition. He urged international entities to take steps to renew investigations into Iran’s human rights abuses and to strengthen the UN Special Rapporteur’s mandate.
The conference at the UN European Headquarters served as a critical platform for addressing the dire human rights situation in Iran, particularly the alarming increase in executions. It highlighted the necessity for robust international action and accountability for the Iranian regime. The speakers collectively advocated for legislative and diplomatic measures to combat these injustices, underscoring the urgency for global involvement to halt the ongoing repression and violations faced by Iranian citizens.
Original Source: www.ncr-iran.org
