Iran’s Parliament Votes to Execute 15,000 Protestors to Teach Hard Lesson

We have reported on ongoing protests in Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini (22 years old), who was taken into custody for wearing “unsuitable clothing.” The Biden Administration announced that it would impose sanctions against 14 Iranian officials as a response to the government crackdown.

The Iranian parliament, apparently unaffected by all this, voted last Tuesday to execute 15,000 protesters.

Newsweek:

Recent calls by Iranian lawmakers for harsh punishments have been made for protesters arrested in Iran. CNN reported Monday that 227 Iranian lawmakers signed a letter requesting that protesters receive harsh punishments that would “serve as a lesson in the shortest time possible.”

According to Reuters, Masoud Setayeshi, a spokesperson for the Iranian government, stated that “Now, the public, including protesters who do not support riots,” and demanded that the judiciary, security institutions, and the courts deal with those who have caused disturbances in a firm and deterrent manner.

Parliament voted Tuesday to impose the death penalty for protesters held in custody. This was a “hard lesson” that all rebels should learn. The 227 votes in favor of the penalty were more than the 290 total members. This is the same number as the lawmakers who signed the letter.

Their preferred method of “deal[ing]] with the few people that have caused disturbances” has, understandably, sparked outrage. Omid Memarian, a journalist, called for the world’s response to the letter calling on harsh punishments to “serve as an example”

Masih Alinejad, an activist and journalist from Iran, called for the world to “stop this act of terror.”

Monday saw the first execution of a protestor by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran. According to the BBC:

State media reports that Iran’s first death sentence has been handed down to an individual who was arrested in protests that have rocked the country.

Tehran Revolutionary Court found that the defendant had set fire to a government facility and was guilty of “enmity against God”.

Five people were sentenced to prison by another court on charges of national security and public safety.

An international human rights group warned that authorities could be planning “hasty executions”.

According to Norway-based Iran Human Rights, at least 20 people face charges that can lead to death.

On Monday, the White House also issued the following statement by Jake Sullivan, National Security Advisor, regarding the ongoing crackdown:

We are concerned about reports coming from Iran about mass arrests, sham trials, and now death sentences for protesters who voice legitimate demands against a government that systematically denies basic freedom and dignity to its citizens. According to reports, Hossein Ronaghi, a political prisoner, was transferred from Evin prison to a Tehran hospital after suffering torture. Iran is under the scrutiny of the entire world. It must be held accountable for the human rights violations it has committed. Justice must be served on the hundreds of protestors who were killed by Iranian state authorities. It is unacceptable that political prisoners such as Mr. Ronaghi are tortured and mistreated. As allies and partners around the globe, the United States will continue to seek accountability for those who perpetrated these abuses via sanctions and other means. The European Union and Britain have adopted new sanctions today against 29 Iranian people and three entities that were involved in the violent crackdown of protestors. The United States supports the Iranian people and their demands with steadfast support.

Monday morning was the day that the EU sanctions Sullivan referred to were announced:

Brussels, November 14 (Reuters) – The European Union imposed additional sanctions against Iran Monday. It targeted 29 individuals and three organizations in response to Tehran’s use of force against peaceful protestors.

Josep Borrell, EU’s chief of foreign policy, stated that “We stand by the Iranian people” and supported their right to peacefully protest and express their views.

The Iranian government continues to accuse the United States of inciting unrest in Iran. They also claim that foreign powers are behind it. There have been apparent attempts to rearm Houthi rebels within Yemen. As we reported, naval forces stopped part of the effort last week.