Iran Atrocities (Aban) Tribunal’s judges, after months of examination of evidence, will deliver their judgment in London today 30 September 2022. This judgment coincides with the current inspiring mass protests in Iran.
The Iran Atrocities (Aban) Tribunal judgment is for the crime against humanity committed by the Islamic regime in November 2019 in Iran. I am honored to be invited to attend such an important and historical event that has given voice to the survivors, and their families, of the November 2019 massacre by the regime in Iran.
The delivery of the judgment will take place while the mass protests in Iran are entering their third week and gaining momentum every day. These protests have been receiving international support from people around the world. The recent protests started on September 16th following the killing of Mahsa Amini, the 22 years old woman, over the Hijab rules.
Similar to the recent protests, In November 2019, protests broke out across Iran. The protests in 2019, were met with utmost brutality and horrific violence by the regime’s guards. According to the published reports, at least 1500 people were shot dead by the security forces, thousands were wounded and more than 8000 were arrested, some are still in prison. However, the bloodshed in November 2019 did not silence the voices of women and men in Iran and did not stop people from protesting and demanding justice. Today, the protesters in Iran are echoing the same demand which was chanted in November 2019: “Down with the dictator. Down with the Islamic regime.”
Since the start of recent protests in Iran on 16 September 2022, the protests have speared to more than 100 cities across Iran. Brave women have been burning their hijabs on the streets right in front of armed guards. The regime’s security forces have been attacking the protester, including firing live ammunition and birdshot, to intentionally shoot to kill tens of protesters and injure hundreds. Security forces have increased the pressure on hundreds of protesters by raiding their homes, and arresting rights activists and university students. People are still protesting on the streets despite facing severe violent attacks by the regime’s security forces.
The Aban Tribunal announced that the delivery of judgment will also present a summary of the evidence on the crimes against humanity and other grave human rights violations committed by 160 perpetrators within the current regime who committed crimes during the November 2019 protests. I need to point out that these perpetrators are still in power and are ordering and carrying out the crackdown on the protesters now.
Governments including the UK government must use their power to urge the UN Human Rights Council to set up an independent mechanism to investigate the crimes committed by the Islamic regime.
For more information about Aban Tribunal, please see the website:
Shiva Mahbobi
Spokeswoman
Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI)
www.cfppi.org shiva.mahbobi@gmail.com Tel: +447572356661