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On November 11th, 2024, the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at American University Washington College of Law proudly hosted an esteemed panel to discuss Iran's ongoing human rights challenges. The panel featured distinguished human rights experts:

Viviana Krsticevic, Executive Director of CEJIL;

Roya Boroumand, Executive Director of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center;

Claudia Martin, Co-Director of the Academy on Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law.

About the Event

The "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement began in 2022 after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, sparking widespread protests against Iran's strict hijab laws and systemic gender discrimination. Despite harsh repression, arrests, and abuses, Iranian activists continue to demand fundamental freedoms and reform.

In response, the UN Human Rights Council established the Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Iran through Resolution S35/1 to investigate alleged human rights abuses linked to the protests. Extended in 2024 by Resolution 55/19, the FFM's work aims to document violations and support accountability. This event will include insights from the FFM, exploring the movement's impact and international responses to these critical issues.

Context:

In September 2022, the death of Mahsa Amini, detained by Iran's "morality police" for allegedly violating hijab requirements, ignited the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement. This movement rapidly gained momentum, drawing widespread support across Iran and internationally as women and activists protested for fundamental rights and an end to gender-based oppression. Demonstrators have called not only for an end to strict hijab laws but also for systemic reform to address long-standing gender discrimination and state repression.

Severe crackdowns, including widespread arrests, have marked the Iranian government's response, reported torture, and trials that lack fairness. Documented human rights abuses, especially against women and youth, have sparked global concern, leading to calls for accountability and reform from the international community.

The UN Human Rights Council established an Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Iran under Resolution S35/1 to address these abuses. The FFM's mandate is to investigate alleged rights violations tied to the protests, particularly those affecting women and children. Given the gravity of the situation, the mandate was extended in 2024 through Resolution 55/19, ensuring that investigations continue and evidence is documented to support accountability efforts.

This event brought together insights from the FFM on Iran, offering a deep dive into the movement's impact, the role of international law in addressing human rights abuses, and the global advocacy efforts surrounding the protests. This dialogue aimed to raise awareness, promote accountability, and highlight the ongoing struggle for women's rights and social justice in Iran.

For comprehensive information on Iran's human rights situation, particularly concerning women's rights and the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, consider the following resources:

• United Nations Human Rights Council: The UNHRC has established an Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran to investigate alleged human rights violations related to the protests that began in September 2022.
• OHCHR
• Amnesty International: Amnesty provides detailed reports on Iran's human rights record, including analyses of systemic discrimination against women and the state's response to protests.
• Amnesty International
• Human Rights Watch: HRW offers insights into the ongoing human rights challenges in Iran, focusing on issues such as freedom of expression, assembly, and the treatment of women and minorities.
• Human Rights Watch
• Center for Human Rights in Iran: This organization documents and reports on human rights violations in Iran, particularly emphasizing women's rights and the impact of government policies on civil liberties.
• JBI Human Rights
• United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): The OHCHR provides updates and statements on Iran's human rights situation, including press releases and reports from the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran.
• OHCHR