On the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, protests erupted across Kurdish regions in Iran, but these demonstrations were quickly silenced by an active crackdown by Iranian security forces. Local human rights organization, Kurdistan Human Rights Network, noted a significant number of arrests primarily targeting the families of those that fell victim during the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests [1].
A year ago, the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protest was sparked by the tragic death of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, who died in custody after being arrested for purported violation of mandatory dressing rules imposed by Iranian morality police. The Iranian authorities had increased security across the nation, anticipating public commemoration and protests marking Amini’s death [2]. Amidst this increased security presence, reports emerged from an opposition group, People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, of families of detained protesters who continued their demonstrations, demanding the release of their loved ones [3].
As the first anniversary of Amini’s death approached, several international human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, published reports highlighting an intensification of human rights violations throughout Iran. These violations were seen as an attempt by the authorities to suppress demonstrations calling for women’s rights [4]. Among the most common tactics used by the Iranian authorities were the forced dismissal of college staff, prosecution, imprisonment, and execution.
The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran (the Fact-Finding Mission) echoed these findings, urging the Iranian government to refrain from stifling dissent [5]. Viviana Krsticevic, a member of the Fact-Finding Mission, emphasized that under international human rights law, the State must respect and ensure the right to truth, justice, and reparations for victims and their families, while refraining from intimidation and reprisals.
Furthermore, Amnesty International called on the international community to exercise their universal jurisdiction under international law to hold the Iranian government accountable for the crimes against humanity committed in Iran. The Fact-Finding Mission is expected to present a comprehensive report on these matters to the Human Rights Council in its 55th session in March 2024.