The UN Human Rights Council to investigate the violent repression of mass protests in Iran. The council looks into all human rights violations by the Iranian security forces against peaceful protesters. The UN reported it on Thursday at a conference in Geneva.
Germany and Iceland had submitted a request for an investigation. 25 members of the Human Rights Council voted in favor, including the Netherlands. Six members, including China and Pakistan, voted against. Sixteen countries did not vote.
The UN fact-finding mission is “a long-awaited game changer in the fight against systematic impunity,” says Amnesty International. Thursday’s vote is a clear signal to the Iranian authorities, according to the human rights organization. This should make it clear that they can no longer commit crimes under international law without consequences.
Many activists and diplomats welcome the investigation. The Iranian representative had previously accused Western states of abusing the Human Rights Council to attack the country.
On Thursday, UN human rights chief Volker Türk called on Iran to end its “unnecessary and excessive use of force” against protesters in the country. He also wants the Iranian government to listen to the “brave” Iranians who want change.
In his first speech to the council, the new UN head spoke of an “impressive number” of arrests and a “full-blown human rights crisis” in the country. According to the United Nations, some 14,000 people have been arrested and more than 300 have been killed.
Since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in mid-September, Iranians have protested against the strict Islamic regime in the country. The woman died after being arrested by the assistant squad for violating the dress code.
Protesters say the police are responsible for his death. Türk says he is concerned that the investigation into Amini’s cause of death does not meet international standards.
