(David J. Scheffer – Council on Foreign Relations) The reported scale of death and injuries from the Iranian regime’s crackdown on demonstrators would easily meet what international lawyers call the “gravity test” for crimes against humanity and gross violations of the Iranians’ human rights. Some estimates put the death toll in the tens of thousands, while the official Iranian regime count is 3,117. There are estimates that tens of thousands of protesters were also swept up in widespread detention operations. The regime’s actions have prompted condemnation from the United Nations’ main human rights body and new sanctions from the United States and European Union, but with little apparent effect. Of more immediate concern to Iran’s leaders is the surging U.S. military presence in the region and threats from President Donald Trump. However, his latest statements steer clear of the dire human rights situation in Iran as the basis for a possible use of armed force.
What Are the Global Options for Defending Iranians’ Rights? | Council on Foreign Relations
