The British Committee for Iran Freedom (BCFIF) is pleased to announce that over 100 Members of Parliament have signed Early Day Motion (EDM) 232, expressing deep concern over ongoing human rights violations in Iran and seeking accountability for the 1988 massacre of political prisoners.

This cross-party EDM highlights the findings of the recent landmark report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, which reveals compelling evidence of mass killings, torture, and other inhumane acts against members of the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI/MEK). These acts, carried out with genocidal intent, constitute a grave violation of international law.

It is imperative that the UK government acknowledge the findings of the UN Special Rapporteur describing the 1981 executions and 1988 massacre as crimes against humanity and genocide. It is therefore imperative, in line with the findings of Amnesty International, to recognise the 1988 massacre as ongoing crimes against humanity and actively work to hold the perpetrators accountable. The BCFIF calls on the UK government to act upon the recommendations of this landmark UN report without delay.

The EDM also condemns the Iranian regime's smear campaign against Professor Javaid Rehman, the former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, in an attempt to undermine his vital work in exposing the regime's crimes. The BCFIF stands firmly with Prof. Rehman and calls on the UK government to take a more decisive stance via-a-vis the Iranian regime's continued human rights abuses and culture of impunity and hold the regime accountable for its attacks on Prof. Rehman and other human rights defenders.

The MPs pledge to work with Prof. Rehman's successor, Dr. Mai Sato, in pursuing the quest for accountability in Iran.

The BCFIF believes that the strong support for this EDM from MPs across the political spectrum sends a clear message that the UK Parliament stands with the Iranian people in their struggle for freedom and justice.

British Committee for Iran Freedom

17 December 2024

Additional Information:

The names of the 104 MPs who have already signed the EDM are available on the Parliament website here: https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/62571