Ræða utanríkisráðherra á sérstökum aukafundi mannréttindaráðs Sameinuðu þjóðanna um mannréttindamál í Íran
Ræða utanríkisráðherra í mannréttindaráði Sameinuðu þjóðanna á sérstökum aukafundi um mannréttindamál í Íran.
Human Rights Council – 35stSpecial Session – 24 November 2023
H.E. Ms. Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir, Minister for Foreign Affairs Iceland
Mr. President,
Last September 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini didn’t comply with legal requirements in Iran on how to wear a vail in public. Three days later she died in custody after being violently arrested by the Iranian morality police.
Following her death, Iranian women and girls have shown incredible courage in leading nationwide protests, exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly.
During those protests thousands of men, women and children have been arrested and detained, and there are widespread reports of serious violations – physical, psychological and sexual- and gender-based. Several hundred deaths have been reported, thereof at least 40 of them children.
It is beyond comprehension that authorities in any country should choose to so gravely violate the human rights of their citizens, which they are obliged to protect.
At the same time, I am inspired by the courage of the brave Iranians peacefully demanding freedom and equality while facing a vicious response and putting their lives at risk.
The Human Rights Council must respond to the grave human rights violations by the Iranian authorities. The violence must stop, and the violations of women’s human rights must stop.
I call on all members of the Council to support the resolution on the human rights situation in Iran that is up for adoption later today. We owe it to the brave women and girls and all others in Iran to take decisive action.
I thank you