UN authorizes investigation into ‘bloody repression’ of protests in Iran; Brazil abstains

Resolution presented by Germany and Iceland was approved by 25 votes in favor, six against and 16 abstentions

REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Human Rights Council authorizes international investigation into Iran protests

The Human Rights Council of UN authorized an international investigation into the bloody crackdown on protests in Will, with the aim of gathering evidence to possibly prosecute those responsible. The resolution presented by Germany and Iceland was approved by 25 votes in favor, six against and 16 abstentions, Brazil being one of them. Among Latin American countries, Argentina, Honduras and Paraguay were in favor of the measure. With the decision, the mission can investigate whether there have been human rights violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran. “The Iranian authorities will not be able to carry out this violent crackdown anonymously; the international community is watching”, reacted the ambassador of the United States, Michèle Taylor. The NGO Amnesty International applauded what it called the “historic resolution”, which represents “an important step towards ending impunity”. The newly approved document asks the group to assess the facts and collect, consolidate and analyze evidence that can be used in future prosecutions. The meeting, held this Thursday, 24, took place in Geneva. Since September 16, hundreds of demonstrators have taken to the streets every day in search of freedom for women.

The protests, which have lasted more than two months, were triggered after the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died after being taken away by the morality police for ‘inappropriate clothing’. This wave of anti-government protests has reached a magnitude unprecedented since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. According to the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, more than 15,000 people have been detained. Iranian justice has already pronounced six death sentences related to the demonstrations and announced this week the arrest of “40 foreigners” accused of participating in the “riots” in Iran in these two months. The demonstrations received support from all over the world, including during the world Cup at the Qatar, where fans held up signs that read “freedom for women” and players stopped singing the anthem. While the debate in the Council was taking place, the Iranian news agency Fars announced the arrest of football player Voria Ghafouri, accused of having “insulted and tarnished the reputation of the national team” and of having made “propaganda” against the Islamic Republic.

Source: Jovempan

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