U.S. Commemorates Two Years Since Mahsa Amini’s Death with Iran Sanctions

On September 18, the United States announced a new round of sanctions aimed at those who have been implicated in the brutal suppression of protesters following the death of Mahsa Amini. This announcement comes as the world marks the two-year anniversary of Amini’s tragic death while in police custody, an incident that galvanized significant unrest in Iran.

The Biden administration’s sanctions target 12 individuals whom they allege are connected to the ongoing violent repression of Iranians, both domestically and abroad. Key figures include members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Basij paramilitary forces, both crucial players in the crackdown on protests and the arrest of demonstrators.

Among those named in the sanctions are high-ranking prison officials accused of committing serious human rights violations, including torture and extrajudicial killings. This move reflects continued U.S. efforts to hold responsible parties accountable for the oppressive tactics employed by Iranian authorities.

Bradley Smith, the acting under secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, commented on the situation, saying, “Two years have now passed since Mahsa Amini’s tragic death in the custody of Iran’s so-called Morality Police. Despite the Iranian people’s peaceful calls for reform, Iran’s leaders have doubled down on the regime’s well-worn tactics of violence and coercion.”

Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman, was visiting Tehran when she was arrested by the Guidance Patrol, commonly referred to as the Morality Police, on September 13, 2022. Accused of failing to adhere to the country’s stringent hijab laws, she was taken to the Vozara Detention Center, where she fell into a coma and subsequently died on September 16. Reports indicate that she sustained severe head injuries due to beatings by state police, while the Iranian government claimed she died of a heart attack.

Amini’s death ignited widespread protests across the nation, particularly led by women advocating for their rights and freedoms. In response, Iranian authorities launched a brutal crackdown on the demonstrators. According to Iran Human Rights, at least 551 individuals were killed by security forces during these protests, including 68 children and 49 women.

Moreover, a report from the non-profit organization indicates that at least 1,425 executions have taken place in Iran since Amini’s death, a staggering number that is double the figures recorded in the two years preceding her passing.

The international response to Amini’s death and the subsequent violence has drawn condemnation from several democratic nations. In addition to the U.S. sanctions, Australia and Canada have also announced targeted measures against individuals involved in repression efforts. Canada imposed sanctions on 11 individuals and two corporations it accuses of being linked to the Iran proxy group Hamas, which recently instigated violence against Israel, resulting in significant loss of life.

Australia, on the grim two-year anniversary of Amini’s death, also levied sanctions against five individuals implicated in the crackdown on protestors.

The crackdown on dissent in Iran has come under increased scrutiny from the global community, leading to intensified diplomatic discourse regarding human rights protections within the country. As the unrest continues, the plight of those advocating for change remains at the forefront of international discussion.

As the situation evolves, the U.S. and its allies continue to seek ways to apply pressure on the Iranian government, holding accountable those who perpetuate violence against their own citizens. The hope remains that these sanctions will contribute to broader efforts to foster change within Iran and support for its people striving for justice and reform.