UN Report: Iran Responsible for ‘Physical Violence’ That Led to Mahsa Amini’s Death

The United Arab Emirates Iran has been blamed for the "physical violence" that resulted in the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, triggering widespread protests against the nation's compulsory headscarf regulations and its governing theocracy, according to a UN fact-finding mission on Friday.

The stark declaration was delivered in a comprehensive initial report uploaded to the UN Nations Human Rights Council by the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran.

UN Exposes Severe Human Rights Abuses

TOPSHOT - Women chant slogans and hold up signs depicting the image of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died while in the custody of Iranian authorities, during a demonstration denouncing her death by Iraqi and Iranian Kurds outside the UN offices in Arbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, on September 24, 2022.
(Photo : SAFIN HAMID/AFP via Getty Images)

A comprehensive investigation was submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council, unveiling alarming findings about the Iranian government's handling of activist Ms Amini's death by the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran. The detailed account of the Iranian regime's actions during the protests shows severe human rights violations, such as sexual assaults on detainees.

The protests erupted after the tragic death of Amini, a 22-year-old activist, on September 16, 2022. She died in a hospital following her arrest by the morality police for allegedly not adhering to the authorities' dress code.

Despite Iran's denial of responsibility for her death, the report dismisses claims of a pre-existing medical condition, pointing to evidence that contradicts the official narrative.

The report clarifies the distinctive characteristics of the protests, which were led by women and youth, highlighting their broad impact and longevity. However, the forceful reaction by the authorities, which led to more than 500 fatalities and 22,000 arrests, highlights the seriousness of the situation.

The UN report accuses Iranian security forces of using shotguns, assault rifles, and submachine guns against demonstrators without an imminent threat, leading to "unlawful and extrajudicial killings." A disturbing pattern emerged of intentional targeting of protesters' eyes, leaving permanent marks as a form of branding, according to the report, according to Los Angeles Times.

Sexual Violence in Iran

Furthermore, the investigation shown disturbing cases of sexual violence against detainees, such as rape, the fear of rape, compelled nudity, contact, and genital electrocution. The report provides an in-depth overview of how security forces used social and cultural stigmas to instill fear and shame in individuals, without regard for their age or gender.

The investigation indicates the Iranian government's involvement in concealing the details of teenager Armita Garavand's death, which activists say was due to her not wearing a hijab. The actions taken by the authorities in this situation closely resembled those in Amini's case, highlighting a consistent pattern of disorientation.

The Fact-Finding Mission acknowledged ongoing investigations into the 2023 death of Armita Garavand, as well as reported poisonings targeting Iranian schoolgirls, refraining from drawing definitive conclusions on the incidents.

The release of this essential report, while not expected to change Iran's government's current path, increases the global pressure on Tehran. The results align with wider worries regarding Iran's nuclear activities, its role in the conflict in Ukraine, and its ongoing persecution of activists like Nobel Peace Prize chosen Narges Mohammadi.

Despite the severity of the documented human rights abuses, Iran has not yet responded to the report's allegations, leaving the international community grappling with the urgent need to address these egregious violations, The Journal reported.