Voices of a Massacre: Untold Stories of Life and Death in Iran, 1988

In July 1988, the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed to end the brutal eight-year war with Iraq. Under the orders of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini, political prisoners were secretly brought before the Death Commission, which condemned thousands to death and buried them in mass graves in Khavaran Cemetery. The Iranian government has still not officially acknowledged these events.

Format: Hardback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 06 August 2020
Publisher: Oneworld Publications

In July 1988, the Islamic Republic of Iran reached a historic agreement to bring an end to the devastating eight-year war with Iraq. Under the guidance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini, a covert operation was initiated to summon political prisoners nationwide to a tribunal panel, which later gained notoriety as the Death Commission. These individuals were kept in the dark about the true purpose of their hearings and were unaware that a single incorrect response regarding their faith or political affiliations could lead to their immediate execution. Thousands of men and women faced the grim fate of condemnation to death, with many buried in mass graves in the Khavaran Cemetery, located near Tehran.

Eyewitness accounts of survivors, scholarly research, and the recollections of children and spouses of the deceased have pieced together the tragic events of that fateful summer. Voices of a Massacre, a documentary film, seeks to shed light on this dark chapter of Iranian history, highlighting the untold stories and the enduring impact of this massacre on the lives of those affected.

Over thirty years after the events, the Iranian government has yet to officially acknowledge the existence of these massacres. The silence and denial surrounding this chapter of history continue to fuel speculation and questions about the true nature of the Iranian regime and its actions during the war.

The film explores the human cost of war, the devastating consequences of political oppression, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. It serves as a reminder of the importance of truth and justice, and the need for governments to confront their past and address the injustices committed by their predecessors.

Voices of a Massacre is a powerful testament to the enduring legacy of the Iran-Iraq War and the ongoing struggle for human rights and dignity in the Middle East. It is a call to action for individuals and communities around the world to stand up against oppression and violence, and to advocate for the principles of peace, justice, and equality.

Weight: 710g
Dimension: 241 x 163 x 47 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781786077776