Amnesty International submits this statement to the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in anticipation of the 25th anniversary, in August 2013, of the premeditated and coordinated mass summary execution of thousands of political prisoners in the 1988 “prison massacre” 1 in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Despite the growing breadth and depth of testimony about this terrible event, Iran has resolutely refused to acknowledge the “prison massacre” as a gross violation of human rights. Even today, few relatives of those killed know where their loved ones are buried. Those who seek to remind the world about the “prison massacre” are persecuted. Most recently, Mansoureh Behkish, an activist on behalf of families of the victims is facing a six-month prison term after conviction of “spreading propaganda against the system” and “gathering and colluding against national security” for her activities in connection with the “prison massacre”. No one has ever been held accountable for these killings. The ongoing impunity is a black stain in Iran’s history and contributes to the dire state of human rights in Iran today. Systemic weaknesses in the administration of justice coupled with a security sector that holds no respect for human rights and has no fear of being held accountable continue to erode the rule of law in Iran. Despite this Council’s attention to the serious shortcomings in the human rights situation in Iran, that situation has continued to deteriorate in the two years since Iran’s UPR examination in February 2010. Freedom of expression, association, and assembly remain severely restricted, and incommunicado detention, torture and other ill-treatment continue to be routinely used. There is extensive resort to the death penalty, mostly imposed for crimes which do not meet the criterion of “most serious” crimes. Women’s rights, already restricted in law and practice, are increasingly restricted including by limiting educational opportunities for female students. The government has refused to cooperate with this Council’s Special Rapporteur on Iran, calling his appointment “political sabotage”. Instead of acting on his findings and providing redress for victims, the government dismisses the allegations of human rights violations as “fabrications” and “groundless”.

Amnesty International submits this statement to the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in anticipation of the 25th anniversary, in August 2013, of the premeditated and coordinated mass summary execution of thousands of political prisoners in the 1988 “prison massacre” 1 in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Despite the growing breadth and depth of testimony about this terrible event, Iran has resolutely refused to acknowledge the “prison massacre” as a gross violation of human rights.

Even today, few relatives of those killed know where their loved ones are buried. Those who seek to remind the world about the “prison massacre” are persecuted. Most recently, Mansoureh Behkish, an activist on behalf of families of the victims is facing a six-month prison term after conviction of “spreading propaganda against the system” and “gathering and colluding against national security” for her activities in connection with the “prison massacre”.

No one has ever been held accountable for these killings. The ongoing impunity is a black stain in Iran’s history and contributes to the dire state of human rights in Iran today. Systemic weaknesses in the administration of justice coupled with a security sector that holds no respect for human rights and has no fear of being held accountable continue to erode the rule of law in Iran.

Despite this Council’s attention to the serious shortcomings in the human rights situation in Iran, that situation has continued to deteriorate in the two years since Iran’s UPR examination in February 2010.

Freedom of expression, association, and assembly remain severely restricted, and incommunicado detention, torture and other ill-treatment continue to be routinely used. There is extensive resort to the death penalty, mostly imposed for crimes which do not meet the criterion of “most serious” crimes. Women’s rights, already restricted in law and practice, are increasingly restricted including by limiting educational opportunities for female students.

The government has refused to cooperate with this Council’s Special Rapporteur on Iran, calling his appointment “political sabotage”. Instead of acting on his findings and providing redress for victims, the government dismisses the allegations of human rights violations as “fabrications” and “groundless”.