In a powerful and unprecedented move, 974 prisoners from 94 prisons across Iran, including 874 political prisoners and 100 general prisoners, have issued a joint statement condemning the Iranian regime’s ongoing executions and human rights abuses. The statement marks the anniversary of the 1988 massacre in which approximately 30,000 political prisoners were executed by the Iranian regime.
The prisoners’ statement highlights the systemic continuation of such brutal practices in Iran, referencing the report by Javaid Rehman, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran. Prof. Rehman, in his final report, detailed the “horrific” nature of the 1988 massacre and characterized the executions as crimes against humanity and acts of genocide. He emphasized that such atrocities and violations of human rights have persisted systematically in Iran.
The prisoners call for the immediate cessation of state-sanctioned executions, stating, “We prisoners, from within the prisons of Iran, join this call for justice and declare: The criminal and state-sanctioned executions in Iran must be stopped and abolished from today.” They demand the prosecution of all those responsible for the 1988 massacre and subsequent killings of protesters on the streets, reflecting a deep-rooted desire for justice and accountability.
The statement also pays tribute to the 30,000 political prisoners executed in 1988, underscoring that their only “crime” was standing up against oppression and defending freedom and justice. According to survivor testimonies, 90% of those executed were supporters or members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI).
UN Experts Call for Accountability in #Iran’s #1988Massacrehttps://t.co/zgKLfAwCaR
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) August 25, 2024
The Iranian regime has attempted to suppress the memory of the 1988 massacre by destroying mass graves and repressing mourning families. However, these efforts have failed to extinguish the growing movement for justice, with the voices of grieving families and mothers resonating across Iran, demanding accountability for the regime’s actions.
The joint statement further connects the 1988 massacre to ongoing state violence, pointing to recent events such as the November 2019 protests, which resulted in 1,500 deaths, and the 2022 protests following the death of Mahsa Amini. The regime’s continuous executions and crackdowns illustrate a relentless pattern of repression and a refusal to address the demands for justice and human rights.
As the statement concludes, it reflects a broader call for international attention and action, urging global leaders and organizations to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its human rights abuses. The prisoners’ plea for justice is a stark reminder of the enduring struggle for freedom and human dignity in Iran, where thousands of lives remain on the line under a repressive and violent regime.
