Iran’s Repressive Turn Signals a Dark Future
Signs point to the Islamic Republic of Iran potentially repeating a devastating tragedy reminiscent of the 1988 massacre, where approximately 30,000 political prisoners were executed in a matter of months. This alarming situation arises as two members of an opposition group were recently executed, with another 14 individuals reportedly awaiting the same fate due to their political affiliations, reports 24brussels.
The Iranian judiciary’s official news agency, Mizan, announced the 37th session of an ongoing trial in absentia involving 104 members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI). This trial, which has stretched over a year, targets individuals who sought political asylum in Europe more than 30 years ago. The regime appears to be employing this sham trial to intimidate Iranian youth and discourage their involvement in “Resistance Units” associated with the MEK, while simultaneously legitimizing a broader crackdown on perceived enemies domestically and abroad.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, on July 7, Fars News Agency, linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, published an editorial provocatively questioning why the regime should not repeat the executions of 1988. The article extolled those mass executions as “one of the glorious achievements of the Islamic Republic” and hinted at a willingness to embrace this violent legacy once again.
UN special rapporteurs have classified the mass executions of 1988 as “crimes against humanity.” In this context, Stephen J. Rapp, former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, cautioned in a Washington Post op-ed titled “The Next Massacre in Iran Is Already Underway” that the regime is reviving its most brutal tactics, challenging the international community’s resolve to respond. He urged a robust global reaction, emphasizing that the rising human rights violations in Iran resonate with some of the darkest chapters in the country’s history.
Massive Iranian Protest in Brussels – September 6
On September 6, a significant demonstration will convene in Brussels, gathering tens of thousands of Iranians from across Europe urging the European Union to act decisively against the recent surge in executions in Iran. Protesters will call for the reinstatement of the “snapback mechanism” regarding the regime’s nuclear activities.
The rally promises to attract prominent political figures from both Europe and the United States, culminating in a large-scale march through the city’s streets. Attendees are concerned that Europe’s ongoing silence and failure to act not only exacerbate the crisis but also embolden the Iranian regime to escalate its violent repressions and advance its nuclear ambitions.
