UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk has spoken of a “tyranny” in Iran, in view of the ongoing violence against peaceful demonstrators.
Turk spoke at the special session of the UN Human Rights Council requested by Germany and Iceland in Geneva on Thursday.
“The unnecessary and disproportionate use of force must come to an end,” the UN commissioner, who described the situation as a full-fledged human rights crisis, said.
Türk said that attempts were being made to discredit civil society activists and journalists, and “label them as enemies and agents of foreign states’’.
“That’s a convenient narrative. As we have seen throughout history, it’s the typical narrative of tyranny. To distract from the root causes of grievances.’’
He called on the authorities to immediately stop the violence and harassment of peaceful protesters, and release the 14,000 people, including minors, who were arrested for taking part in protests.
Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, who was present in Geneva, said those responsible for the violence in Iran against peacefully demonstrating women, men and children must be held accountable.
“Today is a test of our courage in the UN to speak out,’’ Baerbock told hundreds of diplomats.
“The people of Iran simply want to live in dignity and without discrimination,” she said.
Baerbock called for an independent investigation of the situation in Iran by UN experts; and a resolution to this effect is to be voted on later on Thursday.
