(PMOI / MEK Iran): IRAN REGIME TRIES TO DOWNPLAY NOVEMBER UPRISING DEATH COUNT.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran announced on Tuesday that the Iranian regime has failed to conduct an investigation into human rights violations perpetrated during the November 2019 and January 2020 nationwide protests.

“Despite clear evidence that Iranian security forces used excessive and lethal force, which caused the deaths of over 300 people, including women and children, nearly one year on from the protests, the Iranian authorities have failed to conduct an investigation compliant with international standards,” Javaid Rehman said. These revelations were part of the annual report that he delivered during the UN General Assembly.

Rehman insisted that the Iranian government conduct an independent, impartial and transparent investigation into the brutal suppression of protesters in November 2019 and January 2020 and bring those responsible for violating human rights to justice.

the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran), said that there have been at least 1500 killed in the 2019 uprising in Iran which began on 15 November 2019. (PMOI / MEK Iran) also released the names of 504 slain protesters.

(PMOI / MEK Iran) revealed there have been 400 killed in Tehran Province, another 320 in Kermanshah, 270 in Fars, 240 in Khuzestan, 120 in Isfahan, and 100 in Alborz (Karaj).

Continued Human Rights Violations

Rehman further stated that the Iranian regime has continued its pattern of human rights violations against protesters. According to credible witnesses, regime officials arrested and tortured protesters, some of whom were coerced into falsely confessing to crimes. These false confessions have led to long prison sentences and in some cases, the death penalty.

Rehman argued that the regime used the death penalty to suppress free speech and dissent. He invoked the case of champion wrestler Navid Afkari, who was executed despite international outcry from human rights organizations, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and world leaders.

“The Government and judiciary appear to be implementing death sentences against protesters to prevent peaceful dissent and restrict civic space. The recent arbitrary execution of Navid Afkari for his participation in August 2018 protests is emblematic of this concern,” he said.

Intimidation of Families

Rehman described troubling reports about the regime’s treatment of arrested protesters’ families as well. Sources indicate that families have been detained and intimidated by regime security forces for speaking out about their relatives. Some families have been pressured into taking hush money.

Family members of MEK members who were executed during the 1988 Massacre of 30,000 political prisoners have been subjected to the same treatment. Families are not allowed to hold public memorials or seek justice for their loved ones. Not a single perpetrator of the 1988 Massacre has ever been held accountable for this crime against humanity, and many of the offenders have gone on to hold high-ranking positions within the regime. Current Judiciary Chief and former Death Commissioner Ebrahim Raisi justified his actions in the massacre and said as recently as a year ago that the MEK should be eliminated.

Failure to Furlough Political Prisoners

Rehman stated that while the Iranian regime was right to temporarily furlough 12,000 prisoners during the first months of the pandemic, he found it alarming that most

arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists, conservationists, and dual and foreign nationals did not qualify for furlough. He added that many of these prisoners have underlying health conditions that make them particularly vulnerable to Covid-19. Over 134,500 people have died of the coronavirus in Iran, according to reports by the Iranian opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran). The official death toll declared by the regime stands at 33,299, around a fourth of the actual figure.

“I am especially concerned by reports of the critical health condition of prominent human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh. She and all other individuals arbitrarily detained in Iran must be immediately released,” he added.

Mrs. Maryam Rajavi the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran’s (NCRI): I salute you, the steadfast supporters of the Iranian Resistance for seeking justice for valiant heroes Navid Afkari and Mostafa Salehi, for 1,500 protesters murdered in November 2019, and for 30,000 unforgettable heroes massacred in 1988.

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