The international community has a responsibility to take action, to address the impunity for all the rights violations that are happening and have happened in Iran since the killing of Ms Mahsa Amini and the unfolding protests, Liberal International’s Human Rights committee urged in a statement. There must be an end to the violence and discrimination against women and girls, who have been denied their rights for decades.
Both the UN Human Rights Council and the Security Council must meet to address the terrible violence against the people of Iran, and especially against the brave women and girls. The pretence that these actions are justified by religious beliefs or moral standards is obnoxious in the extreme. No genuine moral code justifies this appalling brutality and murder, and believers around the world reject their faith and beliefs being used as a pretext for such political oppression.
International action is the more urgent as there are statements saying the regime is intending to be even more brutal against the protesters. Sanctions must be applied to those responsible for the violence against innocent protesters, demands the LI Human rights committee.
In solidarity with Iranian women, Liberal International Human Rights Committee not only condemns the brutal violence of security forces but we also call for United Nations Member States to remove Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women.
The Iranian state has cut off communications including mobile internet, Whatsapp, and Instagram in its largest internet shutdowns since 2019 in an attempt to silence protestors. As the Iranian state has cut off all kinds of communications, it is impossible to say how many have been killed – but the alarming figure of at least 250 deaths, including 27 children has been reported. There are also continuing reports of deliberate and unlawful use by the Iranian security forces of live ammunition, metal pellets and buckshot against peaceful unarmed protesters. Reports also indicate that sexual violence has been used against women and girls during the protest and in public spaces. Basic rights of detained persons have not been respected either.
The lack of respect for people mourning their loved ones is also shocking, as seen in videos showing security forces attacking mourners at the gravesite of teenager, Nika Shakarami.
Liberal International Human Rights committee stands by the brave women of Iran, who after decades of oppression of their rights and their dignity have risen to defend democracy and human rights and are supported in this by thousands of men and boys demanding a profound change in the country.
Photo: Former LI vice president, Abir al-Sahlani MEP, protests the treatement of women and girls in Iran during the European Parliament plenary session.
