Apr 19, 2023

USCIRF Releases New Report on Sexual and Gender Based Violence Against Religious Freedom Protesters in Iran

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on Sexual and Gender Based Violence Against Religious Freedom Protesters in Iran.

Sexual and Gender Based Violence Against Religious Freedom Protesters in Iran – This factsheet describes the Iranian government’s deliberate and systematic use of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) against Iranians protesting mandatory hijab laws and other religious freedom violations. The factsheet demonstrates evidence that Iran’s government is actively denying evidence of these attacks. It also identifies unique ways in which Iran is weaponizing religious concepts of purity, modesty, and gender hierarchy to shame and silence protestors. The factsheet then provides documented examples of both anonymous and named survivors of state-perpetrated SGBV in Iran. It concludes by recommending the United States continue to coordinate international action to hold accountable Iranian security officials responsible for this violence.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected].

Additional Name(s): Abbas Kourkour, عباس کورکور مجاهد کورکور

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Iran

Ethnic Group: Lor

Religion or Belief: Unspecified

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Appeal: Rejected

Sentence: Death

Date of Detainment: December/20/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Protesting Religious Freedom Conditions Resisting State-Imposed Religious Systems Women’s Rights

Nature of Charges: Miscellaneous Religious Crimes Murder & Attempted Murder Treason & Sedition

Mojahed Kourkour

Extra Bio Info:

Mojahed Kourkour is imprisoned and sentenced to death on false charges justified on a religious basis. 

On December 20, 2022, authorities in Ahvaz arrested Kourkour in a violent raid on a house that resulted in the shooting of Kourkour in the leg and the killing of two others. Authorities falsely accused Kourkour of murdering Kian Pirfalak, a young child, and several others during a November 2022 protest in Izeh, despite him allegedly not being at the protest and Pirfalak’s family claiming plainclothes security forces killed him. After arresting Kourkour, authorities reportedly failed to provide him medical care. Kourkour was also reportedly denied access to a lawyer of his choosing and visits from his family. His arrest came amid a crackdown on protestors, civil society, and former political prisoners following nationwide protests against the killing of Mahsa Amini and the compulsory hijab law.

On December 30, 2022, authorities aired Kourkour’s confession on state television, which relatives allege was coerced under torture. 

In April 2023, the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced Kourkour to death for corruption on Earth and enmity against God, among other charges. Kourkour is also facing murder charges in the Ahvaz Criminal Court.

In December 2023, the Supreme Court upheld Kourkour's death sentence. Due to the ruling, his execution is reportedly imminent. 

Sources:

Additional Name(s): Симонов Михаил Юрьевич

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Russia

Religion or Belief: Christian – Orthodox

Health Concerns: Coronary heart disease, hypertension

Appeal: Reduced to 6 Years, 6 Months' Imprisonment

Sentence: Originally 7 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: November/9/2022

Date of Sentencing: March/30/2023

Current Status: Not Released

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Online Activity Religious Expression

Nature of Charges: Spreading Propaganda & False or Misleading Ideas, Information, or Materials

Mikhail Simonov

Extra Bio Info:

Mikhail Simonov is imprisoned for criticizing Russia's war in Ukraine with religious language.

On November 9, 2022, authorities in Moscow arrested Simonov over two social media posts he made expressing opposition to Russia's military actions in Ukraine. In response to reported Russian bombings of Kyiv and Mariupol, Simonov wrote in March 2022, "Killing children and women, on Channel One we sing songs. We, Russia, have become godless. Forgive us, Lord!"; and "Russian pilots are bombing children."

On March 30, 2023, the Timiryazevsky District Court of Moscow sentenced Simonov to seven years in prison for "public dissemination, under the guise of credible statements, of knowingly false information about the use of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in order to protect the interests of the Russian Federation and its citizens [and] maintain international peace and security, as well as about the exercise by state bodies of the Russian Federation of their powers outside the territory of the Russian Federation for those purposes…for reasons of political, ideological, racial, national or religious hatred or enmity, or for reasons of hatred or enmity against any social group" (Art. 207.3-2d RCC).

On July 25, 2023, the Moscow City Court rejected Simonov's appeal.

On January 18, 2024, the Second Court of Cassation reduced Simonov's sentence by six months to six years and six months in prison.

Simonov reportedly suffers from coronary heart disease and hypertension. He has also reported blood pressure issues and headaches while detained, and he has allegedly lost consciousness several times.

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