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The mass execution of members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) in the 1980s, particularly during 1981-1982 and the 1988 massacre<\/a>, has been recognized by the UN Special Rapporteur, Mr. Javaid Rehman, as fitting the criteria for genocide and crimes against humanity. This affirmation is grounded in extensive evidence and testimonies, which are meticulously documented in the Special Rapporteur’s report<\/a>.<\/p>\n Genocidal Intent<\/strong><\/p>\n According to the report, the Special Rapporteur notes that:<\/p>\n “Any consideration of the applicability of the Genocide Convention to mass killings during the 1980s, and particularly in 1981-1982 and the 1988 massacre has generated considerable legal challenges. As noted, the conventional provisions are limited only to national, ethnic, racial, or religious groups; this definition excludes members of political opposition. Nevertheless\u2013in the light of aforementioned observations\u2013it is not straightforward to exclude the opposition groups, particularly the PMOI from the category of a ‘protected group’.”<\/em> (Page 12)<\/p>\n The mass killings of PMOI political prisoners during the 1988 massacre<\/a> were conducted under a Fatwa, or religious decree, issued by Khomeini, the regime’s supreme leader. This decree ordered the execution of thousands of MEK members and supporters based on their beliefs. The report emphasizes that the Iranian regime viewed the PMOI as a religiously deviant group, thereby aligning its actions with genocidal intent.<\/p>\n The fatwa issued by Ayatollah Khomeini, a critical document in understanding the 1988 massacre, is cited as:<\/p>\n “Khomeini\u2019s fatwa, a key document of the 1988 massacre, lays bare the genocidal intent in physically destroying the PMOI, which was treated as a religious group by the perpetrators. The fatwa explicitly characterizes the PMOI\u2019s alleged religious transgressions as ‘waging war against God’ that must be punished by execution.”<\/em> (Page 49)<\/p>\n Steadfast: The Word That Decided Life and Death in #Iran<\/a>\u2019s #1988Massacre<\/a>https:\/\/t.co\/6PMIEq9Wgj<\/a><\/p>\n — NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 28, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n