Anniversary of Mahsa; US Deputy Secretary of State: The Islamic Republic has not learned from the protests

Azra Zia, the US Deputy Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, stated on Friday, September 15, in a statement: "The severe repression of protesters, sexual assault, harassment of opponents, and unjust imprisonments over the past year show that the Iranian regime has not learned from the people's protests." While commemorating the memory of Mahsa Amini and expressing condolences to her family and other victims of protests in Iran, she added: "Today, one year after Mahsa's death, the human rights situation in Iran remains dire. The regime continues to severely restrict the human rights of Iranians and has increased surveillance and punishment of women and men who engage in civil disobedience. There are reports that the so-called morality police have returned to the streets of major cities in Iran and are suppressing women to enforce mandatory hijab laws, including through arrests and other inhumane punishments." The Deputy Secretary of State also expressed sorrow over the deaths of at least 58 children from ethnic minorities in Iran and the increasing pressure on followers of other religions, emphasizing: "The Iranian regime has not learned from the protests and continues to repress, threaten, and unjustly imprison, but the people of Iran will not remain silent in the face of government oppression, and the United States will continue to support their demands by sanctioning regime officials and aiding in the provision of free internet access to Iran." Ms. Azra Zia noted the establishment of a fact-finding mission at the UN Human Rights Council, stating: "The Islamic Republic must cooperate with the international fact-finding mission by allowing unrestricted and safe access to evidence, victims, and witnesses within the country, and Iranian leaders must allow the people to build their own future and make decisions for it, rather than trying to silence them." She concluded by emphasizing: "The United States will continue to stand with the people of Iran and defend the human rights of all Iranians, and will deepen its work with allies and partners, including at the UN, to support efforts to highlight human rights violations in Iran and hold perpetrators accountable." On Friday, Joe Biden, the President of the United States, also issued a statement on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death. The statement, published on the White House website, reads: "Jill and I, along with people around the world, remember her and all the brave Iranian citizens who have been killed, injured, or imprisoned by the Iranian regime for their peaceful demands for democracy and human dignity." The statement also refers to the global impact of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement. The President of the United States stated that Mahsa's story did not end with her "brutal killing" but that she inspired the historic 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement, which has impacted Iran and people around the world who tirelessly defend gender equality and respect for human rights. Mr. Biden emphasized the continued commitment of Iranian citizens to this movement and their struggle for a free and democratic future despite government violence, stating that Iranians will determine their own destiny, but the United States will remain committed to standing with them and will provide tools to empower them to defend their future.