The IRGC and Human Rights: A Legacy of Oppression

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has established itself as a central pillar of the Iranian regime, functioning as a military, economic, and political force. However, its most notorious role lies in its systematic violations of human rights, both within Iran and across the region. As an instrument of state oppression, the IRGC enforces the regime’s authoritarian policies, suppresses dissent, and undermines fundamental freedoms. This analysis examines the IRGC’s long-standing legacy of human rights abuses, focusing on its role in repressing domestic opposition, silencing dissent, and perpetuating violence regionally and globally.

The IRGC’s Role in Domestic Oppression

Since its inception in 1979, the IRGC has been at the forefront of enforcing the regime’s control over Iranian society. This enforcement manifests through various mechanisms that suppress political opposition, curtail individual freedoms, and silence dissenting voices.

1. Suppression of Protests

The IRGC plays a leading role in violently quelling protests, using its Basij paramilitary forces to intimidate, detain, and kill demonstrators.

 • 2019 Protests: Following a sharp rise in fuel prices, nationwide protests erupted, met with brutal IRGC-led crackdowns. Reports estimate that over 1,500 protesters were killed, many shot at close range, while thousands more were detained.

 • 2022 Mahsa Amini Protests: Sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran’s morality police, these protests were met with IRGC violence, including live ammunition and mass arrests targeting young people and women.

2. Arbitrary Detentions and Torture

The IRGC operates detention centers where dissidents, activists, and journalists are held under inhumane conditions. Many detainees are subjected to:

 • Torture: Physical and psychological abuse to extract forced confessions.

 • Solitary Confinement: Extended isolation to break the will of prisoners.

 • Coerced Confessions: These are broadcast on state television as propaganda, further discrediting opposition voices.

3. Targeting Minorities

Ethnic and religious minorities, such as Kurds, Balochs, and Bahá’ís, are disproportionately targeted by the IRGC. These communities face systemic discrimination, arbitrary arrests, and executions under the guise of national security.

Censorship and Control of Information

The IRGC has expanded its repression into the digital realm, leveraging advanced surveillance and censorship tools to control the flow of information and silence dissent.

1. Internet Blackouts

During periods of unrest, the IRGC enforces nationwide internet shutdowns to disrupt protest coordination and obscure human rights abuses from international scrutiny.

2. Cyber Surveillance

The IRGC monitors social media and online activities, identifying and targeting individuals critical of the regime. Activists frequently report harassment, arrests, or worse after expressing dissent online.

3. Propaganda Campaigns

The IRGC manipulates state-controlled media to delegitimize opposition and spread disinformation. Independent journalists face severe consequences, including imprisonment and exile, for exposing the regime’s abuses.

The IRGC’s Impact on Women’s Rights

Women in Iran have long been at the forefront of resistance against the IRGC’s oppressive policies, which enforce strict gender-based restrictions.

1. Enforcement of the Hijab Mandate

The IRGC-backed morality police enforce mandatory hijab laws, using violence and intimidation to ensure compliance. Women who defy these rules face fines, arrests, or physical abuse.

2. Repression of Women Activists

Women’s rights activists are frequently targeted by the IRGC, subjected to arbitrary arrests, and accused of undermining national security. Many prominent activists have been imprisoned for advocating gender equality.

3. Symbolism of Women’s Resistance

Women-led protests, such as the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement, challenge not only the regime’s gender policies but its broader authoritarian rule. The IRGC views these movements as existential threats, responding with brutal repression.

Regional and Global Human Rights Abuses

Beyond Iran’s borders, the IRGC is a driving force behind human rights violations across the Middle East, using proxy groups and militias to perpetuate violence and destabilize regions.

1. Syria

The IRGC’s support for Bashar al-Assad’s regime has prolonged the Syrian Civil War, contributing to widespread atrocities, including:

 • Indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas.

 • Forced displacement of millions.

 • Torture and extrajudicial killings in detention centers.

2. Yemen

Through its support for the Houthi rebels, the IRGC has fueled a devastating conflict in Yemen, exacerbating one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Houthi missile and drone attacks have targeted civilian infrastructure, deepening the suffering of the Yemeni people.

3. Lebanon and Iraq

The IRGC’s backing of Hezbollah in Lebanon and Shia militias in Iraq has empowered groups accused of war crimes, human rights violations, and suppressing political opposition.

International Accountability and Challenges

Efforts to hold the IRGC accountable for its human rights abuses face significant obstacles, including its entrenched power within Iran and support from allies like Russia and China. However, several measures can address its legacy of oppression:

1. Sanctions

Targeted sanctions on IRGC leaders, affiliates, and businesses disrupt their financial networks and limit their ability to fund repressive activities.

2. Documentation of Abuses

International organizations and activists play a crucial role in documenting IRGC abuses, ensuring that evidence is preserved for future accountability efforts.

3. Support for Civil Society

Empowering Iranian civil society, activists, and human rights defenders is essential to countering the IRGC’s repression and amplifying the voices of those demanding change.

Conclusion

The IRGC’s legacy of human rights abuses underscores its role as a primary enforcer of the Iranian regime’s authoritarian policies. From suppressing domestic dissent to enabling regional violence, the IRGC operates with impunity, leaving a trail of suffering in its wake. Addressing this legacy requires coordinated international efforts to hold the IRGC accountable and support those fighting for justice and human rights. Only through sustained pressure and global solidarity can this cycle of oppression be broken.