As the world’s attention is absorbed by the Israel-Gaza conflict, the Iranian government is intensifying its crackdown on internal dissent. While the international community’s focus is diverted, Iran’s rulers are settling scores with critics, employing severe measures against those who challenge the regime. This includes harsh punishments for women refusing to wear the headscarf, persecution of activists, and the execution of prisoners.
Data from human rights organizations, reveals that at least 690 prisoners were executed in Iran in 2023 up to December 1. However, it is widely believed that the actual number of unreported executions is higher, often only coming to light years later when bereaved relatives muster the courage to speak out.
An Iranian human rights activist now residing in Canada, emphasizes the opportunistic nature of Iran’s actions during the distraction caused by the Gaza war. “The Islamic Republic of Iran is taking maximum advantage of this situation to crack down on its critics, especially with executions that I would characterize as state murder for revenge, and to intimidate society through violence,” Dehghan told DW.
Dehghan, the founder of a global network of Iranian lawyers and head of Parsi Law, a legal center providing advice to people in Iran, points out the unfortunate reality: once protests in Iran subside, the country fades from global attention, allowing the regime to continue its oppressive actions without scrutiny.
The crackdown on women’s rights has been particularly severe. Recent reports indicate that at least eight people arrested during nationwide women’s rights demonstrations have been sentenced to death in what are described as sham trials. One such case involves Milad Zohrevand, a 21-year-old who was executed without warning on November 30. Human rights activists highlight the lack of legal representation and family visits during Zohrevand’s imprisonment.
Imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, in an open letter to the UN Human Rights Commission, implores urgent action to halt executions in Iran. She questions the global response to the widespread executions and the paralysis in addressing this critical issue.
Furthermore, Iranian authorities have intensified the silencing of critics, exemplified by the recent isolation of Narges Mohammadi, who has been cut off from all communication since December 3. Such tactics extend to other dissenting voices, as demonstrated by the arrest of Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi on December 2, shortly after his release from prison. Salehi, initially arrested for supporting women’s rights protests, now faces further accusations related to statements made in a video.
The media in Iran also faces immense pressure not to publish critical articles. The public prosecutor’s office in Tehran took legal action against the newspaper Etemad for cautiously criticizing the government. The newspaper exposed a secret document outlining measures against women who refuse to wear the obligatory headscarf in public, further highlighting the oppressive nature of Iran’s “morality police.”
A particularly tragic incident involved a 16-year-old schoolgirl who fell victim to the morality police after not wearing a headscarf on the subway. She was attacked, fell into a coma, and eventually died in October, underscoring the harsh consequences faced by those challenging the regime’s imposed norms.
In conclusion, as the world’s attention is diverted by global conflicts, Iran’s rulers are taking advantage of the situation to silence internal dissent, intensifying their crackdown on critics, activists, and those opposing the regime’s oppressive policies. The international community must not turn a blind eye to the ongoing human rights abuses in Iran, even amid other pressing global concerns.