Article18 has joined over 40 other rights groups and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi in calling for the renewal of the mandate of the UN’s Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran.

In a joint letter sent to UN member states this morning, ahead of an interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in Iran, we urged their support for the renewal of Mai Sato’s mandate as well as “a complementary international independent investigative mechanism … to follow up on, and build upon, the work of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran”.

Both are essential, we said, in “combating systematic impunity for recent and ongoing violations”, including the “systematic discrimination and violence” against religious or belief minorities.

“Recurring abuses can be prevented and meaningful steps toward justice can be taken only by fully taking stock of this repetitive cycle of violence and impunity and identifying and holding to account those suspected of criminal responsibility,” we said.

“Victims and survivors of past and ongoing violations and crimes under international law in Iran need a holistic approach, including reporting, intervening urgently, investigating, carrying out legal analysis and identifying those responsible to ensure real prospects for human rights, justice, truth and reparation in Iran.

“We appeal to your government to respond to this need. We also appeal to your government to publicly condemn and demand an immediate end to the grave and persistent rights violations committed by the Islamic Republic of Iran and support the continuation of efforts aimed at ensuring that justice ultimately prevails for the people in Iran.”

You can read the full letter and list of signatories here.