Justice pour Tous Internationale (JPTi) announces its participation in the 139th session of the Human Rights Committee, held from 9 October to 3 November 2023 in Geneva. On 9 October 2023, JPTi delivered a statement addressing urgent human rights concerns in Iran, with a particular focus on allegations of police brutality, judicial reform, and the rights of minorities.
During the session, JPTi concentrated on three key issues that reflect both the gravity of the situation in Iran and realistic targets for reform within a three-year period. This timeframe aligns with Iran's obligation to report on the implementation of the Committee's follow-up recommendations. These issues were presented as essential steps for Iran to fulfill its commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR):
Prohibition of Torture and Police Brutality: The prevalence of allegations of torture and ill-treatment in Iran, particularly within law enforcement agencies, was highlighted as a matter of utmost urgency. JPTi called for the ratification of the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and its Optional Protocol, the modernization of Iran's legal framework on policing, and the adoption of a comprehensive Police Code of Ethics. This code should enshrine principles such as respect for human rights, fair and equal treatment, and transparency, along with strict rules governing the use of force and robust accountability mechanisms. The establishment of independent oversight bodies and effective police discipline and complaints procedures was also emphasized as critical.
Judicial Reform for Human-Centric Justice: The statement underscored the necessity of a complete overhaul of the justice system to align with the ICCPR’s provisions on due process and fair trial safeguards (Articles 6, 7, 9, 14, 15, and 17). The proposed reforms aim to make the system human-centric rather than focused on protecting religious dogmas. JPTi advocated for ensuring judicial independence, access to defense lawyers, and strong privacy safeguards. It also recommended removing judicial powers from prosecutors and assigning them exclusively to judges for authorizations impacting fundamental rights, including arrests, detentions, and searches, to uphold the rule of law.
Adoption of a Law on Equality and Protection of Minority Rights: JPTi urged the adoption of a comprehensive Law on Equality in Iran to address pervasive discrimination against ethnic, religious, and other minorities, as well as the LGBTQIA+ community. The organization emphasized the importance of education in mother languages for ethnic minorities such as Kurdish, Azeri-Turkish, Balochi, and Arabic, to preserve cultural heritage and promote educational equality. Additionally, JPTi called for an end to gender discrimination in education, particularly against married women and mothers, and urged unrestricted access to higher education for all minorities, including Baha'is, by revoking discriminatory policies such as the 1991 "Baha’i Question" document. The proposed law on equality would prohibit discrimination on all protected grounds under Article 26 of the ICCPR, including sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, and religion, while ensuring the inviolable right to private life for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
JPTi concluded that these reforms are not only necessary but also achievable within a realistic timeframe, provided there is sufficient political will and international support. These recommendations aim to dismantle institutional barriers, protect fundamental rights, and ensure a future grounded in equality and justice for all individuals in Iran.
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