Human rights - Amnesty: Protesters in Iran raped in custody
The human rights organization Amnesty International has accused Iranian security forces of raping demonstrators in connection with the wave of protests in autumn 2022. The sexualized violence was directed against women, men and minors with the aim of intimidating protesters, according to a report published by Amnesty on Wednesday. According to the organization, the report is based on statements from those affected, relatives, psychologists and other detainees.
The protests in Iran against the repressive government course last year plunged the country's political leadership into one of its worst crises for decades. The security forces sometimes used massive violence against the demonstrators and several hundred were killed, according to human rights activists. Thousands of protesters were arrested. In the meantime, the political and spiritual leadership in Tehran has regained its self-confidence.
In the report that has now been published, Amnesty describes some shocking details of the incidents in detention or police custody. For example, objects such as glass bottles or batons are said to have been used in some of the rapes, and in some cases there were also gang rapes. In total, the organization was able to document 45 cases of sexualized violence against protesters following arrests in various parts of the country, with rape occurring in 16 cases.
"Sexualized violence is one of the most brutal weapons in the Iranian authorities' arsenal to humiliate protesters and suppress criticism in order to stay in power at all costs," said Julia Duchrow, Secretary General of Amnesty International in Germany. So far, not a single one of the perpetrators within the secret services and security forces has been charged. The vast majority of those affected have not pressed charges because they have no trust in the justice system.
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The accusations made by Amnesty International have shed light on the harsh treatment of protesters in Iran, with women being specifically targeted by the security forces. This is not an isolated incident, as Amnesty International is a renowned human rights organization that has documented 45 cases of sexualized violence against protesters following arrests, with rape occurring in 16 of those cases. The use of gang rapes and objects such as batons and glass bottles is a chilling reminder of the brutality faced by protesters. Despite these shocking details, no perpetrators within the secret services or security forces have been charged, which has further eroded the trust in the justice system among the affected individuals. The international community, including human rights organizations and governments, must take action to press for justice and uphold the human rights of all individuals in Iran. Further demonstrations in support of human rights and justice for the victims are planned in Berlin and other cities worldwide.
Source: www.stern.de
