UN: Regime And Protesters Should Talk It Out

This is a pretty different take from the UN than the line they take against Israel, where they place all the blame on Israel and don’t seem to condemn Hamas that much

Iran: ‘The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop,’ UN rights chief says

Volker Türk urged the authorities to immediately halt all forms of violence and repression against peaceful protestors and to restore full access to the internet and telecommunications.

“The killing of peaceful demonstrators must stop, and the labelling of protesters as ‘terrorists’ to justify violence against them is unacceptable,” he said.

Since 28 December, citizens have taken to the streets in all provinces of Iran, initially to voice their frustration over record inflation, soaring food prices and the sudden collapse of the national currency.

Mr. Türk recalled that protests also took place in 2022, with broad sections of the population demanding fundamental change in how the country was being governed, “and once again, the authorities’ reaction is to inflict brutal force to repress legitimate demands for change.”

He said “this cycle of horrific violence cannot continue. The Iranian people and their demands for fairness, equality and justice must be heard.” Additionally, all killings, violence against protesters, and other human rights violations must be investigated and those responsible held to account.

Did the UN say the same for Hamas and all those who helped them?

He noted that several hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed by the number of casualties – which include children. Internet shutdowns have hampered verification, though some telephone services were partially restored.

In fact, the hospitals are finding tons of gunshot wounds to the eyes in hospitals. Iran is saying there will be quick trials and executions for protesters.

Separately, a group of independent human rights experts urged Iran to break the cycle of violence and create space for dialogue.

“The use of lethal force against peaceful protesters, arbitrary arrests – including of children – and attacks on medical facilities represent clear violations of international human rights law,” they said.  (snip)

The four experts are all Special Rapporteurs appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.  Their individual mandates cover issues such as the human rights situation in Iran and promoting the rights to freedom of opinion, and of peaceful assembly and association, worldwide.

The UN had been demanding Israel stop its war on Gaza after being attack again and again and again by Hamas and Palestinians, culminating with October 7th. Where’s the UN in demanding Iran stop? How about trotting out resolutions against Iran? Security Council measures?