Iran
A protester holds a portrait of Iranian Mahsa Amini during a demonstration by Iranians living in Greece in central Athens on September 24, 2022. Photo: Louisa Gouliamaki/AFP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States on Monday encouraged countries around the globe to support the Iranian people amid the ongoing protests, saying that the people of the country should be able to exercise their “universal rights.”
Demonstrations protesting the controversial death of 22-year-old Mahsa (Zhina) Amini have resulted in dozens being killed at the hands of Iranian security forces and hundreds others injured across the country, leading to an outburst of international condemnations and criticism against the Iranian authorities’ treatment of protesters.
“We believe it is incumbent upon the international community to speak out,” Ned Price, spokesperson of the US State Department told reporters during a press briefing on Monday, adding that Washington is “supporting countries around the world to do what they can to support the aspirations of the Iranian people for greater freedom, greater respect for human rights.”
The US on Thursday sanctioned Iran’s morality police, accusing the forces of being responsible for Amini’s death, in addition to seven senior security officials for allegedly overseeing the use of violence against “peaceful protesters.”
The spokesperson justified Washington’s reasoning for accusing the morality police of Amini’s death, telling Rudaw’s Roj Eli Zalla that the facts surrounding her death “don’t seem to be in dispute,” as she was alive when she was arrested and there is a video of her arrest.
The European Union on Sunday condemned the “unjustifiable” and “unacceptable” use of violence against protesters in Iran.
Germany on Monday summoned Iran’s ambassador to Berlin over the country’s violent crackdown of the protests, days after Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, said that they intend to bring Amini’s death before the United Nations Human Rights Council.
France on Monday reiterated its condemnation of the use of violence against protesters in Iran, calling on the country to “end this brutal repression,” and respect its commitments to international human rights.
Amini was arrested by Iran’s so-called morality police for allegedly wearing the hijab in an improper manner. She died in police custody hours later, with authorities claiming that the cause of death was a heart attack, while human rights activists and witnesses say she was beaten in the police van.
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