Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, released a report on the human rights situation in Iran on Wednesday, February 19, 2020. The report highlighted a wide array of human rights violations in Iran.
The report is due to be presented United Nations Human Rights Council meeting on March 9, 2020. The report is divided into two general sections. Current concerns about the human rights situation and conclusions and suggestions for improving the human rights situation in Iran.
Suppression of November 2019 uprising
Javaid Rehman said the high death toll, the serious injuries and mistreatment of detainees were shocking. According to the Special Rapporteur’s investigations, detainees were sometimes tortured and mistreated by the Islamic Republic agents for confession. The wounded protesters were denied access to appropriate treatment. According to Reuters News Agency, the number of protesters killed would be at least 1,500 people, and the regime has declined to officially announce the number of deaths.
Executions in Iran
In another part of his report, Mr. Rehman points out the continued use of the death penalty in Iran, and the execution of juveniles under the age of 18.
Discrimination against women and minorities
Javaid Rehman has received reports of discrimination against women and minorities and has expressed concern about the lack of laws protecting vulnerable groups, including children.
He criticized the continued detention of women such as human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, protesters of forced veils such as Yasaman Aryani, Monireh Arab-Shahi, Mojgan Keshavarz and Saba Kord Afshari.
Deprivation of women from attending sport stadiums
The Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran highlighted the regime’s contradictions in its decision-making on entrance of women in sports stadiums. “The Vice President has said that there is no barrier for women to enter the stadium and hopes for progress in lifting the ban. At the same time, it was reported that the country’s Attorney General and high-level religious figures did not support lifting the ban. Other high-level religious figures have also said that the ban should continue.”
He further referred to the detention of women who attempted to watch football matches in stadiums and wrote about the self-immolation of Sahar Khodayari, also known as “Blue Girl”. After hearing that she would have to serve six months in prison, Sahar set herself on fire in front of the court on September 2, 2019.
