Iran: Amnesty International Attacked for Investigating 1988 Massacre of Political Prisoners

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Staff Writer
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1988 Iran massacre
The International investigation into the 1988 massacre of 30,000 Iranian political prisoners, mainly members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran).

1988 Iran massacre

The 1988 Massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in Iran is one of the most horrifying crimes against humanity in recent times. To make matters worse, the regime has never been held accountable for this crime. Amnesty International, along with the Iranian Resistance, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI / MEK Iran), and the National Council of Resistance of Iran’s (NCRI), and people of Iran, other international human rights organizations, and human rights activists have recently been drawing attention to the crime in order for the perpetrators to be held to account and to bring justice to the victims.

The Iranian regime is worried about these developments and has been doing all it can to object to the findings by Amnesty International. Several regime officials, agents, and henchmen have questioned methods used by Amnesty International for the gathering of data and facts for its report. For example, they have slandered Amnesty rapporteurs, lawyers, and investigators and questioned their decision to not censor the names of the surviving members, and supporters of the (PMOI / MEK Iran), witnesses 1988 Massacre.

The regime’s agents have also slammed Amnesty International for reporting that the then-Supreme Leader’s Prime Minister was complicit in the massacre.

Those that are attacking Amnesty International and the MEK during their campaign for justice are essentially helping the perpetrators of the crime escape justice. To attack a renowned human rights organization such as Amnesty International shows just how desperate the Iranian regime is.

During the 1988 Massacre, the majority of the 30,000 executed were members or supporters of the MEK. They were simply advocating for freedom and democracy but were punished in the most horrific of ways.

The families of those that were executed were given very little information about the final resting place of their loved ones and were denied the right to hold mourning ceremonies. Since then, the people that have been calling the regime out for its crime, or making any kind of noise about the incident, have been intimidated and threatened. Many of the families of the ones that died have spoken about the anguish that they still feel, unable to move on with their lives because they have been given no closure.

Decades have passed since the 1988 Massacre but for many, the memories are still vivid. Decades should not have passed with anyone being held accountable. But justice is better late than never.

Because of the impunity that the regime has enjoyed over the decades, it has continued to kill, torture, and target dissidents. This impunity, clearly, must end.

It is essential that the facts about the 1988 Massacre are brought to light. It is essential that the exact number of political prisoners that were executed is known. It is essential for the burial places of every victim to be revealed. And it is absolutely imperative that the dossier is referred to the United Nations Security Council. The perpetrators of the crime must face justice.

All of this should be an international effort. Investigations must be taken care of by independent parties and the regime must have no involvement considering the great efforts it has taken to cover up evidence.

Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), spoke from Ashraf 3 in Albania, describing the 1988 massacre as one of the regime’s “most horrifying and indescribable crimes”. She explained that the Supreme Leader at that time was trying to get completely rid of the (PMOI / MEK Iran), but emphasized that the organization is more determined than ever.

MEK Iran (follow them on Twitter and Facebook)

and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTube

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