IRAN: Iran encountered the prospect of an international investigation on Thursday as the U.N. human rights chief urged Iranian authorities to stop their “unnecessary and disproportionate” crackdown on protesters.
Volker Türk opened an urgent session of the U.N. Human Rights Council, inviting nations to discuss the “deteriorating human rights situation” in Iran and determine whether a high-level international investigation is required.
The meeting, called for by Germany and Iceland with the support of more than 50 nations, comes after two months of unrest in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who was detained for allegedly violating the country’s stringent dress codes for women based on Islamic Sharia law.
The meeting is regarded as a crucial test of the West’s influence within the council following a failed attempt to increase scrutiny of China’s human rights record last month.
Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated in his first speech to the council since taking office last month that “we are now in a full-fledged human rights crisis.”
He declared, “The use of excessive and disproportionate force must stop,” adding that “more than 300 people have died in the protests so far, including more than 40 children, and over 14,000 people have been detained.”
At least six people have already been given death sentences in connection with the protests.
The envoy from Tehran called the discussion disgraceful and appalling.
Iran has been advocating against the motion, and earlier this month, it sent a delegation to Geneva to urge nations to vote against the resolution. Iran has also sent a number of documents to diplomatic missions.
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