The United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Iran has issued a report declaring Iran responsible for “crimes against humanity” following the death of 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini in September 2022, which sparked nationwide protests against the country’s mandatory headscarf (hijab) laws and its ruling theocracy.
The mission’s findings paint a grim picture of the Iranian government’s response to the protests, including the “unnecessary and disproportionate use of lethal force”, the sexual assault of detainees, and more than 500 deaths and more than 22,000 arrests in the ensuing crackdown.
Jina Mahsa Amini died after being arrested by Iran’s morality police for allegedly failing to comply with their hijab laws. Despite being taken to a detention centre, Amini collapsed shortly afterwards and died in hospital. The Iranian authorities have denied responsibility, attributing her death to a pre-existing medical condition, a claim that the UN report strongly rejects, providing evidence of physical trauma inflicted in detention.
The report outlines the violent crackdown on the protests, which evolved from calls for women’s freedom to a broad challenge to the rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Security forces reportedly used lethal force in situations where there was no imminent threat, resulting in unlawful killings, with a disturbing pattern of protesters being deliberately shot in the eye. In addition, detainees have been subjected to severe sexual violence designed to instil fear, humiliation and punishment.
“Credible figures suggest that as many as 551 protesters were killed by the security forces, including at least 49 women and 68 children. Most of the deaths were caused by firearms, including assault rifles,” the report said.
This comprehensive report also mentions the ongoing investigation into the death of teenager Armita Geravand in suspicious circumstances in 2023, and refers to suspected poisonings of Iranian schoolgirls, without drawing any firm conclusions.
