{"id":2872,"date":"2022-09-23T07:03:14","date_gmt":"2022-09-23T06:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/codir.net\/?p=2872"},"modified":"2022-09-23T07:55:32","modified_gmt":"2022-09-23T06:55:32","slug":"un-experts-strongly-condemn-death-of-mahsa-amini-victim-of-irans-sustained-repression%ef%bf%bc%ef%bf%bc%ef%bf%bc%ef%bf%bc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/codir.net\/?p=2872","title":{"rendered":"UN experts strongly condemn death of Mahsa Amini, \u2018victim of Iran\u2019s sustained repression\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

22 September 2022 Human Rights<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Thursday strongly condemned the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody following her arrest for allegedly failing to comply with Iran\u2019s strict rules on women\u2019s dress, by wearing what authorities said was \u201can improper hijab\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Ms Amini,\u201d they said in a statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShe is another victim of Iran\u2019s sustained repression and systematic discrimination against women<\/strong> and the imposition of discriminatory dress codes that deprive women of bodily autonomy and the freedoms of opinion, expression and belief\u201d, the experts added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop lethal force<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The experts also denounced violence by Iranian security forces directed against peaceful protesters and human rights defenders in cities across the country, who have been marching and demanding accountability for Ms. Amini\u2019s death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They urged the Iranian authorities to avoid further unnecessary violence and to immediately stop the use of lethal force in policing peaceful assemblies<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arrest by \u2018morality police\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ms. Amini was arrested by Iran\u2019s morality police<\/a> on 13 September, and according to news reports, was badly beaten while being taken into custody, which Iranian authorities have denied, claiming instead, that she died of a heart attack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She reportedly fell into a coma at the Vozara Detention Centre and died in hospital on Friday, 16 September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe strongly condemn the use of physical violence against women and the denial of fundamental human dignity when enforcing compulsory hijab policies ordained by State authorities,\u201d the experts said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe call on the Iranian authorities to hold an independent, impartial, and prompt investigation into Ms Amini\u2019s death, make the findings of the investigation public and hold all perpetrators accountable\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Uniting for women<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since Friday, thousands have taken to the streets in cities throughout Iran \u2013 including Tehran, Ilam, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Mahabad, Saqez, Sanandaj, Sari and Tabriz \u2013 to demand accountability for the young woman\u2019s death<\/strong> and demanding an end to violence and discrimination against women in Iran, particularly their compulsory veiling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The peaceful protests have been met with excessive use of force<\/strong>, including birdshot and other metal pellets fired by Iranian security forces, the experts said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to news reports, at least eight people, including a woman and a 16-year-old, have been killed during the protests, with dozens more injured and multiple arrests by security forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities cut power<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since Monday, prolonged internet disruptions have been reported in Tehran<\/strong>, Kurdistan provinces, and other parts of Iran \u2013 the third widespread internet shutdown recorded there over the past 12 months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDisruptions to the internet are usually part of a larger effort to stifle the free expression and association of the Iranian population, and to curtail ongoing protests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cState mandated internet disruptions cannot be justified under any circumstances,\u201d the experts said, warning against a further escalation of crackdown against civil society, human rights defenders and peaceful protesters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They pointed out that over the past four decades, \u201cIranian women have continued to peacefully protest against the compulsory hijab rules and the violations of their fundamental human rights\u201d and urged the authorities to heed their legitimate fundamental human rights demands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIran must repeal all legislation and policies that discriminate<\/strong> on the grounds of sex and gender, in line with international human rights standards,\u201d the independent experts underscored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are part of what is known as the Special Procedures<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are appointed by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to examine and report back<\/a> on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not paid for their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click here<\/a> for the names of the experts who signed onto this statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Tragedy beyond measure’: UN Women<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Later on Thursday, the UN gender empowerment agency, UN Women<\/a>, issued a statement relating to the death of Ms. Amini, saying that “the death of any young person, any young woman, is a tragedy beyond measure. The circumstances surrounding this series of events, are cause for particular concern.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agency said that although the precise causes and circumstances of her death were unclear, “What is clear is that she was detained and treated in violation of the most basic human rights. The incident also underscores the abuses experienced by women and girls worldwide.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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