Raisi’s Death Should Not Overshadow Human Rights Violations

In an open letter, the United Nations Fact-Finding Committee stressed that the death of Ebrahim Raisi, the former President of Iran, should not cause the human rights violations in the country to be forgotten.

The head of this committee, Sara Hossain, urged Iran to withdraw laws related to restricting cyberspace and those deemed ‘misogynistic’.
On Monday, May 27, Sara Hossain, the head of the UN’s independent fact-finding committee, described the situation of human rights in Iran as dire, especially concerning women’s rights.

Committee Condemns Suppression of Women’s Protests

This Bangladeshi lawyer wrote in her open letter that the fact-finding committee, responsible for investigating the human rights situation in Iran after the nationwide protests of 2022, considered the Islamic Republic’s action in suppressing women’s protests as a ‘serious violation of human rights’ and an example of ‘crimes against humanity’ in its latest report.

Hossain warned in her open letter about the possible impact of Raisi’s death on serious violations of human rights and violations of international laws by the Islamic Republic.

Call for Withdrawal of Restrictive Laws

In the letter, Sara Hossain has asked the Islamic Republic to withdraw laws restricting cyberspace and the ‘Chastity and Hijab’ law, which restricts Iranian women and girls’ freedoms.

The head of the fact-finding committee has also called on the Iranian government to recognize the equality of women and religious minorities.

Allegations of Sexual Violence Against Detainees

In its previous report, the fact-finding committee, citing documents and evidence provided by victims of the popular uprising of September 2022, revealed that a number of detainees were subjected to sexual violence, including rape, threats of rape, forced nudity, touching, and electric shocks to the genitals. So far, the Islamic Republic has not reacted to the reports of the UN fact-finding committee.

UN Human Rights Council’s Investigation

On November 24, 2022, the United Nations Human Rights Council approved a resolution with a majority vote in an emergency meeting, in which the Council was asked to form an independent and fact-finding commission to investigate human rights violations during the Iranian protests.

Sara Hossain, a renowned Bangladeshi lawyer, took over the presidency of the UN’s independent fact-finding committee.

Regime’s Propaganda Efforts

After the death of the regime’s president Ebrahim Raisi, the regime has tried to influence global public opinion with extensive propaganda.

The United Nations General Assembly is going to hold a memorial assembly on the occasion of Raisi’s death on June 10. This issue has caused widespread protests by Iranians inside and outside the country.

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