The 1988 Massacre of Political Prisoners in Iran
August 7, 2024, 1:43 pm

Iranian Prison

The 1988 Massacre of Political Prisoners in Iran

The 1979 revolution marked the end of the Shah's autocratic rule in Iran and the beginning of a new chapter in the Iranian people's struggles. Eager for freedom and liberation from tyranny, the Iranian people sought to bring the spring of freedom to Iran.

However, this spring soon turned into a cold autumn and winter as the clerics hijacked the revolution, shattering all hopes. Freedom vanished, and prisons, chains, torture, and executions spread across the country. The corrupt, thieving, and criminal mullahs quickly crushed those brief moments of beautiful victory, leading to widespread poverty and misery.

The brutality of the clerical regime reached its peak in 1988 when it killed over 30,000 political prisoners, most of whom were members and supporters of the People's Mujahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). This massacre was carried out following a fatwa issued by the regime's leader, Ruhollah Khomeini, who explicitly stated that anyone proven to support the PMOI/MEK should be executed.

The executions were carried out swiftly without any legal procedures. Prisoners were brought before a group of judges known as the "Death Committee" and asked a simple question: Would they renounce their support for the PMOI/MEK? Those who refused were immediately taken to the gallows. More than 30,000 political prisoners, aware of their impending fate, stood by their beliefs and set a remarkable example of resistance that continues to inspire today's youth.

The Justice Movement

The regime has made every effort to hide and deny the 1988 massacre for decades. However, after three decades of persistent efforts and exhausting campaigns by the Iranian Resistance and Maryam Rajavi, the elected President of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, substantial evidence about this crime against humanity has been gathered, and the wheels of justice are turning.

A large number of witnesses, lawyers, experts, international figures, institutions, and human rights organizations have been engaged in documenting and gathering the evidence needed to support the case for "genocide" and "crimes against humanity."

The Silent Voice of Those Drowned in Blood

Now, after more than three decades of relentless struggle and the adoption of resolutions that explicitly and implicitly reveal the countless crimes committed by the ruling religious fascism in Iran, Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, has issued a historic report at the end of his mandate.

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In his report, the UN Special Rapporteur calls for the establishment of an international mechanism to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the "brutal crimes" in Iran, including the unlawful killings of thousands of arbitrarily detained prisoners and their suppression in the 1980s. He describes these brutal crimes, including the hasty, arbitrary, and extrajudicial executions in 1981, 1982, and 1988, as "crimes against humanity" and "genocide," emphasizing that these crimes involve the continued concealment of the fate and whereabouts of thousands of political dissidents. The forced disappearances and the unknown locations of their remains also constitute crimes against humanity.

According to the report: "The Special Rapporteur notes that the reported 'brutal crimes' occurring across Iran are the worst and most egregious human rights violations in living memory under the new financially distressed administration of the Iranian regime."

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.