Between late July and September 1988, the Iranian authorities forcibly disappeared and extrajudicially executed thousands of prisoners for their political opinions and dumped their bodies in unmarked individual and mass graves. Minimum estimates put the death toll at around 5,000.

Given their widespread and systematic nature, Amnesty International considers that the extrajudicial executions and the ongoing enforced disappearances amount to crimes against humanity and is calling on the international community to act urgently. No official has ever been brought to justice. Indeed, key judicial and government bodies which must ensure victims receive justice include officials responsible for the killings.