A conference on March 13, 2025, at the UN in Geneva addressed escalating human rights violations in Iran, notably executions. Attendees included legal experts and victims’ families, who urged the international community to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its actions, particularly the 1988 massacre and present-day atrocities against dissenters and women.
On March 13, 2025, a significant conference addressing human rights violations and an alarming rise in executions in Iran was held at the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva. This event, part of the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, brought together political leaders, legal experts, former political prisoners, and family members of victims, highlighting the critical need for global accountability.
The conference was marked by a series of impactful speeches emphasizing the essential role of the international community in responding to the Iranian regime’s actions. Notable speakers included Kirsty Brimelow, Claude Nicati, and various advocates emphasizing collective efforts to ensure justice for victims and their families.
Mojgan Joulaee, the conference moderator, reinforced concerns about the increasing frequency of executions and broader human rights infringements in Iran. She underscored the vital necessity for international scrutiny and concerted action to address these abuses.
Kirsty Brimelow discussed the notorious 1988 massacre, where approximately 30,000 political prisoners were executed. She characterized these actions as systematic, arbitrary executions violating international human rights treaties signed by Iran. Brimelow called on the international community to collect evidence to facilitate future legal accountability for those responsible.
Claude Nicati recounted the assassination of Dr. Kazem Rajavi, a prominent human rights advocate, and the implications of the continued impunity for historical violations. Nicati cautioned that without firm international responses, the Iranian regime’s ongoing execution practices would persist, denouncing their judiciary as an instrument of oppression.
Advocate Sahar Sanaii highlighted the regime’s systematic violence against women, noting Iran’s significant rate of female executions. She stated that despite the oppression, Iranian women are leading the fight for freedom and democracy, with ongoing protests like hunger strikes in opposition to state brutality.
Senator Roberto Rampi condemned the practice of state hostage-taking by the Iranian regime, exemplified by the detainment of Western nationals to leverage concessions from their governments. He mentioned specific cases of individuals involved in terrorism and emphasized how leniency from Western nations has empowered the regime to perpetuate its human rights abuses.
Personal testimonies, such as those from Behrooz Maqsoudi, who shared the execution of three uncles for their beliefs, were poignant reminders of the regime’s brutality. Maqsoudi stressed the importance of campaigns like “No to Executions,” which are gaining traction amidst severe crackdowns.
Behzad Naziri closed the conference by connecting the current wave of executions with the historical context of the 1988 massacre. He called upon the international community to enhance investigations into Iran’s human rights violations and urged the renewal of the UN Special Rapporteur’s mandate to facilitate action. Overall, the participants unanimously advocated for stronger international measures to hold Iran accountable for its continued repression and human rights violations.
The conference held at the UN European Headquarters highlighted the pressing need for international intervention regarding Iran’s human rights violations, particularly the increased executions. Speakers emphasized historical injustices, the systematic oppression of women, and the ongoing brutality faced by political dissidents. The collective call for stronger diplomatic and legal actions underscores the urgency of global accountability to prevent further human rights abuses by the Iranian regime.
Original Source: www.ncr-iran.org
