Iran condemns UN report on crackdown on protests, calls it “false and biased”

Iran has strongly criticized a recent United Nations report alleging serious human rights violations during the 2022 protests, particularly targeting women and girls, as reported by Al Jazeera. Iran’s Foreign Affairs Minister spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, denounced the report, labeling it as built upon “unsubstantiated claims” and “biased information.” The protests erupted across Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, in custody in September 2022. Amini was arrested for allegedly violating the strict Islamic dress code for women.

Iranian authorities refused to participate in the UN Human Rights Council-mandated investigation in November 2022. Kanaani accused the expert committee of distorting facts and criticized the report as lacking in truth. The independent international fact-finding mission released its report, stating that many violations amounted to crimes against humanity, including murder, imprisonment, torture, rape, and other forms of violence. Sara Hossain, who chairs the mission, described it as part of a systematic attack against the civilian population, particularly women and girls demanding freedom and equality.

The report called on authorities to provide justice, truth, and reparations to the victims. Kanaani dismissed the report, alleging it was orchestrated by Israel, the US, and other Western countries pursuing an Iranophobic agenda. He claimed these countries were frustrated by their failure to intervene effectively during the protests. A special committee appointed by Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi to investigate the protests has submitted its final report.

UN experts reported that at least 551 protesters were killed by security forces using disproportionate force. They also highlighted cases of extrajudicial killings and blindness inflicted on demonstrators. Tehran was accused of obstructing the investigation into Amini’s death. The crackdown saw the arrest of individuals for minor actions such as dancing or honking car horns, with hundreds of children as young as 10 also detained. The report is scheduled to be presented to the council on March 15.

In the meantime, Amnesty International reported Iranian authorities’ mass campaign to enforce compulsory hijab laws through widespread surveillance and police checks targeting women drivers.