HUMAN RIGHTS Amnesty calls for the UN to investigate the 1988 massacre in Iran

HUMAN RIGHTS
Amnesty calls for the UN to investigate the 1988 massacre in Iran
The 1988 massacre in Iran is an ongoing crimes against humanity that the UN must investigate. It writes Amnesty in a press release on Tuesday in connection with the publication of its report "Blood-soaked secrets: Why Iran's 1988 prison massacres are ongoing crimes against humanity".



The report is based on previous information and interviews with eyewitnesses, former political prisoners and the victims' families.

"Thousands of people were subjected to forced disappearances and extrajudicial executions in Iranian prisons in 1988 ... Iranian authorities continue to deny what happened", writes Amnesty and names those responsible for the massacre.

"By not telling what happened to the thousands of opposition who were subjected to forced disappearances and were secretly executed in prisons 30 years ago, Iranian authorities continue to commit crimes against humanity," Amnesty noted in its new report.

"The report shows the denials and perils that Iranian authorities have devoted to for 30 years, both nationally and internationally. All in order to conceal the truth that they exposed thousands of opposition parties for forced disappearances and systematic executions over a few weeks between late July and early September 1988, "said Philip Luther, Research and Policy Manager for Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa Department.

Amnesty's press release adds, "As Iranian authorities today refuse to acknowledge the massacres have taken place, do not tell relatives when, how and why their loved ones were killed and neither identify or return the bodies, they imply the disappearances continues. It has ravaged the victims' families an immense suffering. Iranian authorities must publicly report what has happened and where the victims are. Until they do, these crimes continue with humanity. "

Amnesty's report reports that the 1988 massacre was a coordinated attempt by the clergy to eradicate the political opposition. Most of the victims were reported by the Iranian opposition group People's Mojahedin (PMOI-MEK).

Amnesty emphasizes that this ongoing crime against humanity must be investigated by the UN.

"Families and survivors have been subjected to an enormous betrayal of the UN and the international community. The lack of condemnation from the UN Human Rights Commission and the fact that the UN General Assembly did not refer to the situation in the UN Security Council allowed Iranian authorities to continue denying what happened and thereby exposing families to continued suffering, "Amnesty points out. in its press release.

"Since there seems to be no justice for the victims of the Iranian judiciary, it is even more important that the UN establish an independent, impartial and effective international mechanism that can ensure that those responsible for these erratic crimes are answered," adds Philip Luther.