In a video that’s gone viral in Iran and around the world, an Iranian schoolgirl flips over the portrait of Ayatollahs Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei that hangs in every classroom, revealing the words on the other side: “Woman, Life, Freedom.”

The words are everywhere in Iran, having become a rallying cry at mass protests. They are a clear rejection of the two Supreme Leaders and the abusive system that has ruled the country for 43 years.

Sadly, the regime’s repression cannot be turned over so easily.

Human Rights Watch has just published a new report documenting how the Iranian authorities have used excessive and lethal force throughout the country in a ruthless effort to crack down on widespread anti-government protests.

Demonstrations began September 16, after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa (Jina) Amini in the custody of Iran’s abusive “morality police.” In the September 19 edition of this newsletter, we called her death an “outrageous depravity” and expected protests to grow.

Indeed, they have expanded and spread massively, but so has the vicious response of the regime, as we feared. Events are moving fast, and our new report is just a snapshot of what’s been happening.

Videos verified by our experts show security forces using shotguns, assault rifles, and handguns against protesters in largely peaceful and often crowded settings, killing and injuring hundreds. In some cases, they shot at people running away.

“The Iranian authorities’ brutal response to protests across many cities indicates concerted action by the government to crush dissent with cruel disregard for life,” says my colleague Tara Sepehri Far, senior Iran researcher.

But she also notes that the regime’s apparent belief that brutality will somehow stop the protests, doesn’t seem to be working out as they’d planned.

“The security forces’ widespread shooting of protesters only serves to fuel anger against a corrupt and autocratic government.”

The White House yesterday announced it was “disappointed” by the decision of the OPEC Plus energy cartel, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, to cut oil production in an effort to raise prices.

As commentators noted, it “exposes the limits of Biden’s fist-bump diplomacy” with Saudi leader Mohammed bin Salman, aka “MBS,” part of US and EU efforts to limit Moscow’s ability to use energy as leverage over third parties after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

But no one, least of all the White House, should be surprised if MBS didn’t keep his word. When Biden went to Jeddah in July to ask MBS for oil favors – that cringey fist-bump meeting – the Administration surely should have understood who they were dealing with.

Since MBS became the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia in 2017, citizens have experienced the worst period of repression in their modern history. Waves of arrests have targeted political dissidents, public intellectuals, and human rights activists. People have been subjected to torture, prolonged arbitrary detention, and asset confiscation without any clear legal process.

The regime engages in extraterritorial repression, too, most notably the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in which US intelligence itself suspects MBS’s direct involvement.

If you make a deal with someone you suspect of a brutal murder, can you really be surprised when he fails to honor his side of the agreement?

Next week, a trial begins in France addressing atrocities that took place in Liberia decades ago.

The defendant, Kunti K., is accused of crimes against humanity committed during the first Liberian civil war (1989-96). That conflict was marked by atrocities against civilians: massacres, rapes, pillage and forcing children to fight and kill.

Kunti K., whose full name is withheld in line with French privacy laws, was initially indicted for the crimes of torture and “barbaric acts,” such as cannibalism. The charges were later expanded to include crimes against humanity, including sexual violence.

This trial abroad is possible because, as with some other countries, France recognizes universal jurisdiction over certain crimes under international law, allowing for their investigation and prosecution regardless of where the crimes took place and the nationalities of those involved.

To date, Liberia has not prosecuted one person for international crimes committed during its two civil wars.

(compiled today by Emily Palomo)

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