Iran: Sexual Violence Used as Weapon Against Protesters
Recent years have witnessed a growing defiance of the Iranian government by its citizens, punctuated by waves of protest met with brutal suppression. The death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, even as in the custody of Iran’s morality police in Tehran, served as a pivotal catalyst. Amini was arrested for allegedly violating government standards regarding head coverings. Following her death, widespread protests erupted across the country, and more recently, further demonstrations driven by economic grievances unfolded between late and early . In both instances, authorities responded with force, employing violent tactics to quell dissent.
Those apprehended by Iranian security forces have reportedly endured horrific treatment. Amnesty International has documented evidence suggesting that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has systematically used sexual violence as a weapon to suppress opposition, aiming to instill fear and enforce compliance. The organization’s findings detail a pattern of abuse intended to break the spirit of those who dare to challenge the regime.
Reports emerging from Iran detail particularly disturbing allegations. The “Daily Mail” has cited cases involving the sexual assault of girls as young as 12 years old by members of the IRGC. According to Amnesty International, the objective of these acts is to inflict “lasting physical and psychological damage” on the victims. These allegations, if substantiated, represent a severe escalation in the government’s tactics of repression.
The case of Amirhossein Ghaderzadeh, a 19-year-old, illustrates the brutality allegedly employed by Iranian security services. Reports indicate that security forces raided his home, detaining him along with his two sisters, aged 14 and 19. All three were reportedly stripped naked, and the premises were searched for evidence – specifically metal pellets allegedly linked to participation in protests. Following the search, they were subjected to sexual violence. Ghaderzadeh has reportedly been sentenced to death, though his current status remains unknown.
Amnesty International reports that, in the aftermath of the protests following Mahsa Amini’s death, at least 45 survivors – including 26 men, 12 women, and seven children – have come forward to confirm they were victims of rape, gang rape, and other forms of sexual violence during detention. This figure likely represents a significant undercount, given the climate of fear and intimidation within Iran.
Following the recent protests in and , reports have emerged alleging that the IRGC has engaged in sexual violence against medical personnel providing care to protesters. According to Iran International, IRGC forces stormed a hospital treating injured demonstrators, opening fire on patients and staff. Two nurses were reportedly killed, while others were beaten and detained.
Sexual violence has not been limited to female detainees. A 30-year-old man from East Azerbaijan province testified that security forces blindfolded, beat, and subjected him to gang rape in a van. A 24-year-old Kurdish man reported being raped with a baton while in detention. These accounts underscore the widespread and systematic nature of the alleged abuses.
The true extent of sexual violence perpetrated against protesters remains unknown. However, it is widely believed to be far greater than reported by humanitarian organizations. The likelihood is that the regime is deliberately escalating the level of violence and repression, particularly in the context of ongoing regional tensions. The employ of sexual violence as a tool of political repression represents a grave violation of human rights and a disturbing escalation in the Iranian government’s crackdown on dissent. The international community faces a growing challenge in responding to these abuses and holding those responsible accountable.