UNHRC urges investigation into human rights violations in Iran

Member states of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) have called for a thorough investigation into human rights abuses in Iran.

A special session chaired by Ambassador of Argentina to the UN Federico Villegas was held in Geneva on November 24, with the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran at the top of the agenda, Report informs.

During the session, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Javaid Rehman, revealed that from the early days of the protests in Iran, senior government officials had instructed security forces to violently suppress the protests and expressed no desire to negotiate with the protesters.

"Anyone who took part in the protests was labelled as 'terrorists' or 'foreign agents'. These protests have become more violent in recent days, with at least 60 people killed, including children. Three young men were shot dead during the demonstrations, at least four girls aged 16-17 were beaten to death," Rehman said.

The rapporteur noted that more than 15,000 Iranian citizens who dreamed of a better future for their country have been detained since the protests sparked in the country.

"On 11 November 2022, Iranian parliamentarians called on the judiciary to act decisively and apply severe punishments, including the death penalty," he said, adding that there was a threat to those defending women's rights in Iran, both inside and outside the country.

The countries attending the session expressed concern over the lack of respect for human rights and the government's brutality against protesters in Iran. The UNHRC called on Iran to agree to a mission visit to examine the situation in the country and fully investigate the numerous human rights violations.