In a recent public statement, a coalition of human rights defenders has expressed their unwavering support for Prof. Javaid Rehman, the former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran. This statement comes in response to a coordinated smear campaign against Prof. Rehman, allegedly initiated by the Iranian regime and its affiliates. Prof. Rehman, who concluded his six-year tenure in July 2024, has been lauded for his rigorous investigations into human rights violations in Iran, particularly his landmark report on the 1988 massacre of political prisoners.
The statement underscores the importance of Prof. Rehman’s work, describing it as a “crucial contribution to the documentation of atrocities and the urgent need for justice.” It further highlights his calls for an international accountability mechanism to investigate and prosecute those involved in the mass executions of the 1980s. In his final report, Prof. Rehman framed these violations as “atrocity crimes and crimes against humanity,” focusing on the systemic nature of the executions carried out without due process.
https://t.co/I4Z8iGn8vh
My statement expressing my staunch support for former UNSR Prof. @JavaidRehman amidst a smear campaign by the Iranian regime. @TheDutyLegacy @jvmifoundation. pic.twitter.com/JslTazqESB— James Joseph (@James_JosephTDL) September 3, 2024
At an international conference in Paris on August 24, survivors of the 1988 massacre shared harrowing personal accounts of the brutality they endured, emphasizing the complicity of high-ranking Iranian officials in the death commissions responsible for the executions. The statement notes that, according to survivors and family members, approximately 30,000 individuals were executed during the 1988 massacre. Prof. Rehman’s report called for the use of mechanisms such as “universal jurisdiction, international tribunals, and truth commissions” to ensure accountability for these crimes.
In response to the smear campaign, Prof. Rehman has “categorically refuted any claims regarding the acceptance of funding for his work as Special Rapporteur,” emphasizing that the focus should remain on the victims and the pursuit of justice. He reiterated the necessity of a transparent investigative mechanism that operates under international law to preserve vital evidence for future prosecutions.
The statement also commends the resilience and bravery of the survivors who spoke at the Paris conference and praised Prof. Rehman for his “tireless commitment to human rights.” It calls on the international community to “rally behind the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur” and take decisive action to address the ongoing violations in Iran. “Together, we must ensure that the voices of the victims are amplified and that the call for justice is unrelenting,” the statement concludes.
Why Iran’s Genocidal Regime Ferociously Attacks Former UN Special Rapporteur Javaid Rehman https://t.co/qq5afda5xa
— M. S. Khansari (@khansari_m) September 3, 2024
James Joseph, Director of The Duty Legacy, who endorsed the statement, emphasized the need to counter the Iranian regime’s efforts to stifle dissent and suppress the voices of those seeking justice. He noted that the smear campaign against Prof. Rehman is an attempt to divert attention from the regime’s continued human rights abuses. “It is right that Prof. Rehman is allowed to undertake his work without fear or favor,” Joseph stated, urging international support for efforts to hold Iran accountable for its crimes against humanity.
As Dr. Mai Sato takes over the mandate of Special Rapporteur on Iran, the statement extends support and wishes her success in continuing the crucial work of advocating for human rights in Iran.
The Iranian regime must immediately stop personal, fabricated attacks against Professor Javaid Rehman @JavaidRehman The British Government @Keir_Starmer must ensure justice, accountability and ending impunity as recommended by Professor Rehman in his outstanding report pic.twitter.com/CnPOg3EGht
— Lord (David) Alton (@DavidAltonHL) August 27, 2024
