US report highlights Iran’s systematic abuse of human rights

The US State Department on Monday released its annual report on the human rights situation in Iran, highlighting that the country’s “already severe restrictions on human rights” have worsened in a number of areas in 2023.

The report outlines an increase in government restrictions and violence against civilians. Attention is also paid to discriminatory laws and executions, including those of young people. It documents arbitrary killings, enforced disappearances and widespread torture by Iranian government forces aimed at suppressing any opposition.

“Women continued to face discrimination, including through improved means of enforcing mandatory dress codes, leading to acts of civil disobedience,” the report said.

The report specifically notes the sharp increase in executions, with 798 civilians executed, a 37% increase from the previous year. Many of these executions involved minor or politically motivated charges, often following unfair trials or coerced confessions, the report said. “There were numerous reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings, during the year.”

The role of the Iranian judiciary, especially the Revolutionary Courts, is mainly criticized for denying the right to a fair trial and due process. confessions, often obtained through coercion or torture, are in many cases considered solely as evidence.”

The report also discusses severe restrictions on freedoms of speech, assembly, religion and the press, with the government imposing harsh penalties on those who disagree. Internet and media freedoms are severely curtailed, with the regime using censorship, surveillance and intimidation to control information and suppress activism.

The U.S. State Department specifically exposed the Islamic Republic’s threats against Iran International journalists, forcing the network to temporarily move its studios to Washington.

“In February, media outlet Iran International temporarily moved its headquarters from London to Washington, DC, after London’s Metropolitan Police warned the organization that their journalists were threatened that constituted a threatening situation, credible and significant risk to their lives and that of their families,” the report said.

The report also referred to a statement by Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib, who said in November 2022 that “the Islamic Republic recognized Iran International as ‘a terrorist organization’ and that anyone associated with the channel would be pursued.”

Furthermore, the report underlines the plight of ethnic and religious minorities, who face systematic violence and discrimination. It also notes the government’s failure to address gender-based violence and the mistreatment of women and LGBTQ+ people.