Geneva, Switzerland – In a crucial emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Mai Sato, issued an urgent appeal to the international community to immediately halt military attacks targeting Iranian territory. This came alongside a firm call for a comprehensive international investigation into the bloody crackdown by authorities on the January 2016 protests.
A siege between the hammer of war and the anvil of oppression
In her remarks on Monday, Sato described the tragic reality facing the Iranian people, saying, “The Iranian people have endured horrific levels of violence. Between suffocating military tensions and widespread popular protests met with brutal repression and mass arrests, they have barely had a chance to catch their breath before a new wave of military attacks begins.” She emphasized that the Iranian citizen has become a victim of a “triangle of death.” This triangle consists of sanctions, relentless repression, and military operations that have resulted in killing, displacement, and isolation from the world.
Shocking figures for January victims
For her part, Sarah Hussein, head of the UN fact-finding mission, reinforced these concerns by presenting shocking data on the severity of the crackdown during January. Human rights reports indicated that more than 7,000 people were killed. In addition, hospitals were raided and widespread arrests were carried out, even targeting medical personnel who attempted to treat protesters. Hussein emphasized a fundamental principle: “Justice cannot be achieved through war.”
Roadmap for a solution
May Sato stressed that the Iranian people and their aspirations must be “at the heart of any political or diplomatic solution.” She called for an immediate end to the war and a return to the negotiating table. She emphasized that the international community has an obligation not to turn a blind eye to what happened during the January protests simply because the guns have fallen silent. Furthermore, she stressed the principle of full accountability for violations of international law by all parties. The UN Special Rapporteur concluded by affirming that the Iranian people are “united in their desire for fundamental change and self-determination.” She also warned against the continued plight of civilians caught between a “massive military campaign” on one side and a “regime with a long history of repression” on the other.
