Geneva, March 18, 2025 – The Balochistan Human Rights Group reports that Sabah Bandoui, a member of the organization, addressed the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Speaking alongside the Minority Rights Group (MRG), Bandoui voiced strong support for the findings of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFMI) regarding crimes against humanity committed against national and religious minorities in Iran.
The session was also attended by the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Mai Sato, and the Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, Sara Hossain.
During her speech, Bandoui emphasized that the FFMI’s findings, along with its roadmap for justice and equality, provide long-overdue recognition of the suffering endured by minorities in Iran. She stressed the urgent need for the Human Rights Council to take immediate action against the structural discrimination that enables these crimes.
Bandoui highlighted that the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities in Iran predates the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement and remains ongoing. She expressed deep concern over the Iranian government’s continued suppression of dissent and the lack of accountability for perpetrators, warning that such impunity increases the risk of recurring violence. She further noted that domestic measures for accountability are insufficient, and that victims and human rights defenders face constant threats, surveillance, intimidation, and violence.
She concluded by urging the UN Human Rights Council to sustain and expand its investigations into serious human rights violations and atrocity crimes in Iran. Bandoui called for broader investigative mandates beyond the September 2022 protests to ensure comprehensive justice and accountability for persecuted minorities and women.
