The following are examples of reports and resolutions by the United Nations
and NGOs on the massacre of political prisoners in 1988
Amnesty international
INTERNATIONAL SECRETARIAT
1 Easton Street London WC1X SDJ
United Kingdom
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: MDE 13/14/88
Distr: UA/SC
UA 235/88 Death Penalty 2 September 1988
IRAN: Political executions
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Amnesty international condemn the political executions carried out in Iran coring the last month which are reportedly still continuing. It is concerned by the continuing bar on family visits to political prisoners in Evin Prison in Tehran and elsewhere which has fuelled speculation that hundreds of political prisoners may have been executed. The executions have reportedly been carried out predominantly on members and supporters 0f the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PM0I), but about 20 supporters of other political opposition groups are also reported to have been executed, Amnesty International does not have sufficient information to estimate the number of political executions, but it is deeply concerned by the apparent escalation. .
Following the incursion by the PMOI-led National Liberation Army into Iran between 25 and 28 July 1988, small groups of alleged collaborators with and members of the PMOI were publicly executed in Kangavar, Bakhtaran and lslamebad-e Gharb. The Iranian National News Agency said that 15 PMOI supporters had been executed by 5 August, and pictures of public hangings appeared in the Iranian national press.
In e speech at Friday prayers in Tehran on 5 August Ayatollah Ardebili, the Chief Justice, hinted that many imprisoned PMOI supporters Were at risk of execution when he said:
“The judiciary as under very strong pressure from public opinion asking why we even put them (the PMOI) on trial. Why some of them are jailed, and why all are not executed … The people say they should all he executed without exception.”
Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases us e violation of the right to lite and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the case of Iran it is particularly concerned by the lack of provisions for fair trial in political casas, and the lack of any procedure for prisoners sentenced to death to appeal against conviction or sentence.
Telephone 01-833 1771 Telegrams: Amnesty London WCI Telex: 28502
