On October 6, 2024, in Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, a somber scene unfolded that underscores the brutal clampdown on dissent in Iran. Seven political prisoners, including seasoned activists and young professionals, faced grave charges under the watchful eyes of the regime.
The charges ranged from rebellion to membership in Iran’s principal democratic opposition movement, the National Council of Resistance of Iran, signaling a continued suppression of political opposition. This trial is not an isolated incident but a clear message from the Iranian regime: dissent will not be tolerated. Among the accused is Abolhassan Montazer, a 65-year-old with a storied history of political resistance dating back to the 1980s. Despite suffering from serious health conditions, Montazer faces charges that could lead to the most severe penalties. Alongside him are young professionals like Pouya Ghobadi and Vahid Bani-Amerian, whose only "crime" appears to be their unyielding demand for a free Iran.
The Iranian judiciary, acting as an arm of suppression rather than a pillar of justice, has begun resorting to increasingly harsh measures. The recent trial of these seven men is conducted by Judge Iman Afshari, known for his harsh rulings. The proceedings lack the most basic standards of fairness and due process, often characterized by predetermined outcomes and accusations of torture and forced confessions.
This crackdown occurs within the broader context of the Iranian regime’s efforts to control an increasingly volatile societal atmosphere, as public discontent simmers due to the new president Masoud Pezeshkian's failure to alleviate the severe difficulties faced by the Iranian people.
The judiciary's oppressive measures extend well beyond the courtroom. Recent months have seen a sharp rise in the number of executions. Specifically, in the last week of October 2024, at least 25 prisoners were executed, contributing to an alarming surge that resulted in 170 executions in October alone—an 85 percent increase compared to the previous year. Among those executed was a German-Iranian citizen, Jamshid Sharmahd, who was controversially abducted in Dubai in 2020 and later sentenced to death following a widely denounced sham trial in 2023 by Amnesty International, Germany, and the European Council.
These executions typically follow trials lacking fair legal representation, with defendants often charged with ambiguous crimes like "waging war against God," pushing the execution tally to 438 since Pezeshkian assumed office in August. Furthermore, fearing the increasing appeal of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI) among the Iranian public, manifested in the dramatic rise in the anti-regime activities of the Resistance Units affiliated with the organization, the regime has intensified its actions against the PMOI, detaining its supporters and issuing death sentences to suppress the organization's activities. In a stark demonstration of both economic and political suppression, assets linked to the PMOI are being confiscated. A glaring example of this is the absurd in absentia trial of 104 PMOI members in Tehran, during which the judge mandated the confiscation of all defendants' properties.
Reacting to the alarming increase in executions and oppressive measures, Maryam Rajavi, the President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), which includes the PMOI, has called for the international community to advance beyond mere verbal denunciations of the Iranian regime. She has specifically urged the European Union to take decisive actions such as designating the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization. Additionally, she has emphasized the critical need for an international fact-finding mission to visit Iranian prisons to directly engage with and assess the conditions of the prisoners, many of whom face politically motivated charges.
The plight of these political prisoners is a stark reminder of the ongoing human rights crisis in Iran. Their trial is not just an indictment of them but a test of global commitment to human rights. The world must stand in solidarity with those who have the courage to demand change in the face of such peril.
Iran stands at a pivotal moment, and the choices made by the international community now will resonate not only within its borders but globally. It's imperative that global powers enhance their examination of Iran's human rights practices and hold the regime to account for its violations. Every international interaction with Iran, be it economic or diplomatic, should be contingent upon tangible improvements in human rights, such as the release of political prisoners and the cessation of torture within its prisons.
The call for action extends beyond mere rhetoric; it demands substantive, collaborative efforts that unequivocally support human rights and justice. This involves not only sanctions and diplomatic pressure but also support for the Iranian populace's quest for freedom from an oppressive theocratic rule. The global response should thus be robust and unwavering, aiming to empower the Iranian people in their fight for a democratic and just society.