In 1988, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini issued a decree for the mass execution of political prisoners, particularly targeting members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI). He aimed to eradicate their ideals by eliminating them physically. Khomeini’s decree was clear: anyone loyal to the PMOI should be executed immediately. This act marked an attempted genocide against the Mojahedin, a policy continued by his successor, Ali Khamenei. The bodies were secretly buried in mass graves, and efforts were made to erase all traces of these victims from history.
Despite the regime’s efforts, the massacre could not be hidden. Over 45 years of theocratic rule have brought international attention and numerous UN condemnations. A significant milestone in the pursuit of justice came with the report from Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran. This report was achieved through the relentless efforts of the Iranian Resistance and the families’ seeking justice for the victims. It represents a significant victory for those who have consistently fought against the regime’s attempts to deny and cover up the massacre of 30,000 political prisoners.
The regime’s reaction to the report was one of hysteria. The so-called “human rights secretary” of Iran dismissed Rehman as a “paid mercenary” of the PMOI, attacking the credibility of the report. Nevertheless, the report stood as an undeniable document of crimes against humanity and genocide. Rehman used the term “atrocity crimes” to describe the systematic murders, torture, and enforced disappearances carried out by the regime. He noted that between June 1981 and March 1982, thousands of dissidents, including children, were executed under vaguely defined charges of “waging war against God” and “spreading corruption on Earth.”
Among those executed were many children, including 13-year-old Fatemeh Mesbah, a PMOI supporter. The report highlighted Khomeini’s 1988 fatwa, which explicitly ordered the mass execution of PMOI members as a religious group. This fatwa was a clear document of genocidal intent, aiming to physically destroy the PMOI.
The Special Rapporteur called for an international mechanism to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for these crimes. He urged UN member states to use universal jurisdiction to conduct thorough investigations and preserve evidence for future prosecutions. Rehman emphasized the need for swift, impartial, and transparent criminal investigations into the atrocities committed, including the mass murders and other inhumane acts against political opponents.
The global recognition of these mass killings as “atrocity crimes” marks a qualitative step in the justice-seeking movement in Iran. This movement, which aligns with the broader struggle for regime change, aims to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice.
In conclusion, the UN Special Rapporteur’s report is a critical step toward acknowledging and addressing the horrific crimes committed by the Iranian regime. It highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and the necessity of international accountability mechanisms to ensure that the perpetrators of these atrocities face consequences.
