'Systematic' Rape in Detention Centers: UN Fact-Finding Mission Slams Iran

Viviana Krsticevic, one of the experts on the United Nations fact-finding mission investigating the suppression of the 2022 protests in Iran, described the rape of detained women as "terrible."

She emphasized that the security forces of the Islamic Republic have perpetrated these acts in a "systematic" manner.

The mission's report documented various instances of rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, including gang rape, rape with objects, electric shocks to the genitals, forced stripping, and inappropriate touching of women and girls.

Krsticevic, a human rights advocate from Argentina and Executive Director of the Center for Justice and International Law, condemned the heinous acts committed by the forces of the Islamic Republic and labeled them as shocking. 

"The gang rapes of women and girls in detention centers were particularly shocking to me. As a woman, it is always deeply distressing to hear about such atrocities," she told IranWire in Geneva. 

She urged the international community to provide humanitarian visas to the victims, saying, "Knowing the consequences that those types of torture which have physically as well as psychologically, it is difficult to overcome that, that pain and that lasting harm, that tortured lives and, people [sic]."

"So I hope that the international community takes significant steps as well to make sure that those who have suffered torture and that those who have suffered sexual torture, have the necessary medical treatments, psychological rehabilitation and are given humanitarian visas or visas as refugees," she added. 

The summary of the fact-finding committee's report was released on March 8. A meeting was held on March 18 to review the report's details, and representatives from various countries, including Iran, were in attendance.

During this meeting, several victims were present as witnesses before the UN Human Rights Council to testify about the atrocities committed by the forces of the Islamic Republic. 

Representatives from Canada, Belgium, and the United States led the discussion on Monday, condemning human and women's rights violations, suppression of protests, executions, and pressure on journalists.

The Islamic Republic objected to the American representative's portrayal of the situation. 

Meanwhile, some of Iran's regional allies, including China, Russia, and North Korea, opposed the report's findings, particularly regarding the systematic violation of human rights during women's protests against mandatory hijab.

Mercedeh Shahinkar and Kowsar Eftekhari, victims of the Islamic Republic's bloody crackdown on the 2022 nationwide protests, attended the UNHRC meeting as witnesses. They expressed outrage at the defense offered by Iran's allies. 

Krsticevic highlighted the cruelty displayed by the security forces in their handling of the bodies of the deceased. 

"One story that stayed with me is the cruelty that I've seen is bargaining with the bodies of the dead," she said. "In those situations in which family members were told that they would not receive the bodies of those who were killed back if they did not say that they had died in different circumstances."

"So incredibly cruel," the member of the fact-finding mission added. "There's something about mourning, about respecting the lives of people, also the space for honoring the dead. That is pretty, pretty shocking to me."

The committee's report documented arbitrary arrests by the Islamic Republic's security forces, targeting individuals for activities such as dancing, chanting, graffiti, car honking, or expressing opinions on social media advocating for women's rights and equality. These arrests aimed to quell protests.

The report urged holding the perpetrators accountable for violations of rights.

Additionally, the report revealed that security forces blindfolded and transported many individuals in unmarked vehicles, including ambulances. Hundreds of children, some as young as ten years old, were apprehended and separated from their families, with their whereabouts undisclosed.

Krsticevic acknowledged that the protesters were subjected to systematic intimidation at close range.

According to IranWire reports, hundreds of individuals suffered eye injuries following the crackdown on peaceful demonstrations by security forces. The injuries were caused by pellets, tear gas, paintballs, and other projectiles.

Doctors estimated that at least 580 protesters in Tehran and Kurdistan alone lost one or both eyes. Given the nationwide scale of protests, the actual figure is likely significantly higher.

The report of the UN fact-finding mission brought a sense of relief to Zaniar Tondro, an injured eyewitness set to testify at the UNHRC. 

Reflecting on the impending recognition of the Islamic Republic's crimes against humanity, Tondro expressed mixed emotions, stating, "While I am glad these atrocities will be acknowledged, I am deeply saddened by the suffering of the Iranian people."

Explaining the mission's objective, Krsticevic emphasized the importance of providing comprehensive information and analysis to the UNHRC to facilitate protective measures for victims' rights.

Highlighting the significance of advocating for victims' rights, she added, "We also would like victims to know that they do have rights. They have a right to truth, to equality, to justice, to accountability, to reparations, and those should be protected." 

"The report says it very clearly, and we hope that the government takes note of that and takes steps," she said. 

The 21-page report includes findings related to the 2022 protests.

These findings have been submitted to the UNHRC, which stated that Mahsa Amini died from "physical violence." Mahsa Amini's death in custody sparked the 2022 protests known as the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.

The fact-finding mission expressed frustration over the lack of meaningful cooperation from Iranian authorities throughout the investigation, despite repeated requests for information on various aspects, including deaths and injuries of security forces.

Since its start, the Islamic Republic of Iran dismissed the mission as "political and illegitimate" in response to Germany's proposed resolution in the UNHRC to establish an independent fact-finding mission.