This week, the UN human rights council is holding a special session to discuss the human rights situation in Iran. The session is being held in response to a crackdown on dissent that has taken place since last year’s presidential election. Human rights groups have criticized the Iranian government for its treatment of protesters and journalists, as well as its alleged suppression of freedom of expression. The session is expected to focus on the issue of freedom of assembly and expression, and what can be done to counteract the crackdown. While there is no clear answer as to whether or not the council will take any significant action, it is an important platform for raising awareness about the situation in Iran and calling for change.
General assembly to debate Iran human rights situation
The General Assembly is set to debate the human rights situation in Iran on Tuesday. The UN Human Rights Council has said that there has been a “sharp increase” in violations of human rights in Iran since 2010, with more than 200 people killed and thousands arrested since then. Iran denies any systematic abuses, but the council has said that there is ample evidence of such violations. The US and other western countries have called for the resignation of Iran’s president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, because of his government’s human rights record.
US urges council to act on behalf of Iranian people
The Trump administration on Monday urged the UN human rights council to take action on behalf of the people of Iran, as reports emerged of a crackdown by the Iranian regime. In a statement, the US said that “the world should be alarmed” by reports of arbitrary arrests and torture in Iranian prisons. The US also called for an independent investigation into these abuses. The statement comes as the human rights council is set to hold a debate on Iran later this week. The Trump administration has been increasingly vocal in its criticism of the Iranian regime, calling for tougher sanctions and more pressure on Tehran. Last month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the Trump administration was prepared to “take all necessary measures” to protect American citizens in Iran.
UN rights council to discuss human rights in Iran
The UN rights council is set to discuss human rights in Iran on Friday as the government there continues a crackdown on dissent. Tens of people have been arrested, including several journalists, and dozens more rounded up in recent weeks. The council’s Working Group on Freedom of Expression has called for an investigation into the arrests, which it said were “of an unprecedented scale.” The Iranian delegation dismissed the criticism, accusing the group of harboring ” Zionist and extremist tendencies.”
What is the Iran Human Rights situation?
Since President Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, human rights groups have expressed concern for the country’s worsening human rights situation. In March, a report by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran asserted that “the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran has deteriorated markedly since May 2017, when President Donald J. Trump withdrew the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).”
Under Article 37 of Iran’s Constitution, all citizens are “equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of law.” However, individuals who criticize or oppose the government face retaliation from authorities. For example, Masoud Shojaee was charged with “plotting to overthrow the Islamic Republic” after he spoke out against economic inequality in January 2018. According to Amnesty International, dozens of people have been arrested and detained solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression since president Donald Trump announced Washington’s withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.
In October 2017, Iranian authorities sentenced Saeed Abedini to 10 years in prison on charges including “spreading propaganda against Islam and disturbing public order.” His imprisonment sparked international outcry, as Abedini had been held without charge or trial since 2012 and was accused only of peacefully advocating for religious tolerance. In September 2018, officials released him on bail but continued to monitor him closely.
Iran is
What action should the UN rights council take?
The UN rights council is set to hold an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the human rights situation in Iran.
According to reports, at least 10 people have been killed and dozens more arrested in a crackdown on protesters since Sunday.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein has said that “the scale and severity of these violations calls for a response from the international community.”
Zeid called for an immediate end to all acts of violence and for those responsible for human rights violations to be held accountable.
He urged the Iranian authorities to release all detainees, allow access to independent monitors, and allow freedom of expression, association, and assembly.
Conclusion
The Iranian crackdown that has seen over 150 people arrested and thousands more detained since December 25th is once again in the spotlight at the United Nations human rights council. The Human Rights Watch report released on February 17th details how authorities have been cracking down on protesters, journalists, and civil society members with “vague or overly broad” charges. Members of parliament have also been targeted with arrest and harassment. The United States joined a number of other countries in calling for an international inquiry into these events.
