The UN Human Rights Council has intensified its scrutiny of Iran's brutal crackdown on protests that have left thousands dead, including children. The council's move comes amid widespread demands for the Iranian government to end its "brutal repression" and face accountability for human rights violations.
The 47-member body expressed alarm over the scale of violence used by security forces against peaceful protesters in Iran, with many calling for an end to summary trials and disproportionate sentences. The council also urged the release of those arbitrarily detained by Iranian authorities and a complete moratorium on the death penalty.
In a tense session, ambassadors from several countries, including Iceland, Germany, and the European Union, reiterated their calls for accountability, while Iran's ambassador slammed the meeting as "posturing" and accused the council of being "politically motivated". Other countries, such as China and Cuba, also criticized the session, accusing it of showing "double standards".
The UN Human Rights Council extended and broadened the mandate of independent investigators gathering evidence on human rights violations in Iran. The decision also empowers the investigative body to probe allegations of serious human rights abuses and crimes perpetrated during the protests.
NGOs tracking the toll from the crackdown have warned that the confirmed figures are likely much lower than the actual number of deaths, with estimates ranging from over 5,000 to as many as 25,000. The UN Human Rights chief described how security forces used live ammunition against protesters, killing thousands, including children.
The council's decision is a response to the wave of protests sparked by the death in custody of a Kurdish-Iranian woman named Mahsa Amini. Iran's regime has been accused of using brutal force and repression to quell the demonstrations.
As the situation in Iran continues to deteriorate, the international community remains divided on how to address the crisis. While some countries have called for accountability and an end to violence, others have criticized the UN Human Rights Council for its approach, accusing it of being "politically motivated".
The 47-member body expressed alarm over the scale of violence used by security forces against peaceful protesters in Iran, with many calling for an end to summary trials and disproportionate sentences. The council also urged the release of those arbitrarily detained by Iranian authorities and a complete moratorium on the death penalty.
In a tense session, ambassadors from several countries, including Iceland, Germany, and the European Union, reiterated their calls for accountability, while Iran's ambassador slammed the meeting as "posturing" and accused the council of being "politically motivated". Other countries, such as China and Cuba, also criticized the session, accusing it of showing "double standards".
The UN Human Rights Council extended and broadened the mandate of independent investigators gathering evidence on human rights violations in Iran. The decision also empowers the investigative body to probe allegations of serious human rights abuses and crimes perpetrated during the protests.
NGOs tracking the toll from the crackdown have warned that the confirmed figures are likely much lower than the actual number of deaths, with estimates ranging from over 5,000 to as many as 25,000. The UN Human Rights chief described how security forces used live ammunition against protesters, killing thousands, including children.
The council's decision is a response to the wave of protests sparked by the death in custody of a Kurdish-Iranian woman named Mahsa Amini. Iran's regime has been accused of using brutal force and repression to quell the demonstrations.
As the situation in Iran continues to deteriorate, the international community remains divided on how to address the crisis. While some countries have called for accountability and an end to violence, others have criticized the UN Human Rights Council for its approach, accusing it of being "politically motivated".
. Thousands of innocent people including kids are getting killed or hurt just because they're speaking out against their government. It's like, how can a country be this cruel? 
The UN Human Rights Council finally spoke up and it's about time! They need to take action, not just talk about it 
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. Like Iceland and Germany are on the same page as the UN but China and Cuba are just sitting there judging them for being "politically motivated". That's not fair 
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. We can't just sit back and watch as innocent lives get lost. The numbers are probably way higher than what we know because NGOs are saying it could be over 5,000 but who knows? 
. Maybe we won't see change now but if we don't even try then nothing will happen 
. Let's hope for a better future where human rights are respected everywhere 
and the council is finally taking notice, but like what about all the other countries that are either not doing enough or even supporting Iran's regime? 
i mean, china and cuba showing up to criticize the session as if they're victims too? 
what should really be done instead of just talking about accountability?
. But at the same time, I can understand why some countries are worried about not wanting to seem "politically motivated" 
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. It's like, you're not going to speak out against human rights abuses if it means losing some power or influence in the world? No thanks 
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. The lives of thousands of people are at stake here, and that's not something to be taken lightly 
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Thousands of people are dying and we're talking about a 'brutal repression' that's just unacceptable. 
It's time for governments to take action and put pressure on Iran to stop this violence. We can't just sit back and watch while people are being killed because they want to speak out.