On October 13, a joint written statement was submitted by 21 NGOs to the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. António Guterres, that called for the UN to investigate the 1988 massacre of political prisoners in Iran. Mr. Guterres has received the written statement which is circulated in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31.
The statement recalls that on 3 September 2020, seven United Nations Special Rapporteurs wrote to the Iranian authorities, stating that the 1988 extrajudicial executions and forced disappearances of thousands of political prisoners may amount to “crimes against humanity.”
It also mentions the letter by 152 former UN officials and renowned international human rights and legal experts who wrote to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, calling for a Commission of Inquiry into the 1988 massacre.
The statement also mentions Amnesty International’s statement on 19 June 2021 that reiterated that Raisi had a key role in the 1988 massacre and should be “investigated for his involvement in past and ongoing crimes under international law, including by states that exercise universal jurisdiction.”