The Iranian regime’s repression on different faiths, cultures, ethnic groups and opponents continues, with the number of executions rising day by day. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of the Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), commented on the developments in the country. 

 

Noting that the repression has intensified since the protests in January, Amiry-Moghaddam noted that many citizens, including human rights activists, have been arrested, and that these arrests have continued both during the war and during the ceasefire. 

 

Emphasising that executions had resumed on 18 March following a brief lull and that a large number of people had been executed, Amiry-Moghaddam stated, “This high number of executions of political prisoners in such a short time is unprecedented. We haven’t seen it in the last 20 years. So what is clear is that the Iranian authorities are taking advantage of the war situation to intensify repression against the people because their main threat comes from Iran and not from American or Israeli bombs."

 

Amiry-Moghaddam noted that anyone who took part in the protests could be considered a political prisoner, adding that human rights defenders, activists and members of opposition groups also fell into this category. 

 

Amiry-Moghaddam said that the exact number of political prisoners held in Iranian prisons is unknown, noting that over 15,000 protesters have been arrested and that they do not know how many have been released. 

 

“In addition, since the beginning of the war around 4,000 people have been arrested. Most of them are ordinary people, but also among them are activists. So we believe there are thousands of people in prison for their political activities and opinions,” he said. 

 

Highlighting that everyone facing charges related to “security” is tried in Iran’s Revolutionary Courts, Amiry-Moghaddam noted that most of those on trial have no access to a lawyer; even if they do, they are forced to choose a lawyer from a limited list determined by the judiciary. 

 

Amiry-Moghaddam noted that the process involves detainees being held in solitary confinement, tortured into making confessions, and only then being given a list of lawyers from which to choose.

 

“At that stage there is not much a lawyer can do. So we should keep in mind that the Iranian judiciary is not an independent judiciary. In particular, revolutionary courts are considered a part of the repression machinery," he said.

 

Amiry-Moghaddam noted that the regime is attempting to instil fear in Iranian society through these methods and executions, stating, “During the time of the war, the human rights situation is overshadowed by the war. And this is one of the reasons the Iranian authorities would like to continue some kind of war. Because in the shadow of the war they have the opportunity to suppress even more, create even more fear, and try to stabilize their establishment."

 

'SOONER OR LATER REGIME WILL GO'

 

Amiry-Moghaddam, noting that the Iranian regime is currently unable to meet even the most basic needs of the people, also stated that the regime’s corruption has been exposed and that the people no longer want the regime. Stressing that the events of the January protests were also linked to this corruption, Amiry-Moghaddam emphasised that the regime had killed thousands of people in an attempt to suppress the protests. 

 

He noted that the only thing the regime can do to stay in power is to instil fear, adding, “But how long they can continue? They have continued for 47 years, but the regime has never been in such a big crisis as it is now. And the crisis is mainly because there is no legitimacy among the people. So sooner or later it will go. How it will go or when, it is difficult to predict, and particularly when there is a war, everything becomes less predictable."

 

Stating that the war launched by the US and Israel with the 28 February attacks is not for the Iranian people, Amiry-Moghaddam pointed out that negotiations are still ongoing but the issue of democratisation has not been raised. Amiry-Moghaddam stated that the regime would continue to maintain its repressive measures both during the war and after a ceasefire, adding, “This regime is not capable of reform. So unless there is a fundamental change, they will continue the repression, and of course people will keep fighting back.” 

 

'TRIALS ARE MERELY A FORMALITY'

 

Amiry-Moghaddam stated that they did not have clear information regarding the trials currently underway in Iran, adding that the information came from Iranian official channels and that the process they were conducting with the individuals they were in contact with was very limited due to the circumstances. 

 

He added: “It is not possible even to call on the phone. As Iranian rights organizations, our communication with our sources again goes very slowly and is more sporadic. The internet is shut down, and only specific people have access to using the internet. Also, it is the same with phones. You can’t call with a cell phone to talk with anybody in Iran. They can communicate very briefly using very specific VPNs. But we have our own sources to get information out of Iran, though it is very difficult and risky. They can be facing very serious charges, and those charges can be punishable by death. ” 

 

Amiry-Moghaddam stressed that the human rights situation in Iran and the use of the death penalty must be at the centre of any negotiations between Iran and the international community: “This is a call that must be repeated everywhere and in every country. The regime wants to have the focus only on the war so they can actually continue their own war against the Iranian people. Use every opportunity to speak about people in danger and what the regime wants to do."

 

MA / Ceylan Sahinli