The British Committee for Iran Freedom (BCFIF) is deeply concerned by the Iranian authorities’ ongoing efforts to destroy evidence of their atrocities, which UN experts have identified as crimes against humanity, committed with genocidal intent.

A recent comment by Tehran’s Deputy Mayor revealed that a section of Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery, where many victims of the regime’s extrajudicial executions in the early 1980s are buried, has now been repurposed as a parking lot, with permission granted by authorities.

We condemn in the strongest terms these efforts by Iranian authorities with approval from the regime to erase evidence of their past atrocity crimes. These actions reaffirm our previous warnings that the regime is preparing another massacre in Iran’s prisons, similar to the 1988 mass executions of political prisoners.

The destruction of evidence of crimes against humanity and genocide is itself a violation of international law. Under these circumstances, the regime’s actions make these atrocity crimes ongoing, as they actively deny victims reparations and justice. Furthermore, family members of victims and those seeking justice for the 1988 massacre, such as Maryam Akbari Monfared, are being arrested and sentenced to prison by the regime’s judiciary.

Given this alarming development amidst the ongoing execution crisis and widespread impunity in Iran, the international community must shoulder its responsibility to prevent another massacre in Iran’s prisons. The international community must now take concrete steps to hold the regime and its leaders accountable for their ongoing crimes against humanity, as recommended by UN experts.
The UK can and should play a decisive role in this regard.

The British Committee for Iran Freedom (BCFIF) urges the UK Government to work with its allies to recognise the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners in Iran as a crime against humanity and genocide.

Such recognition aligns with the findings of UN experts and is legally justified, as confirmed by the Swedish court rulings against Hamid Noury, who was sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in the 1988 massacre under universal jurisdiction. It will also preserve vital evidence and empower family members and survivors in their pursuit of justice.

As we have repeatedly stated, it is now imperative that the UK and E3 end the culture of impunity enjoyed by the regime. They should condition all diplomatic and economic relations with Iran on the immediate stop of executions and the release of all political prisoners.

British Committee for Iran Freedom

21 August 2025