First Report of the UN Fact-Finding Mission; British Representative Addresses Women and Girls in Iran: The Time for Freedom Has Come

The British representative at the UN Human Rights Council called for accountability from the officials of the Islamic Republic for "horrific crimes" in Iran and emphasized the need for justice for the people of Iran. Specifically addressing "women and girls in Iran," she stated: "The time for freedom has come." Ms. Rita French highlighted the "brutal suppression of protesters" that occurred last year by the Islamic Republic, noting that this brutal crackdown led to the deaths of over 500 individuals in response to the murder of Mahsa Amini. Ms. French drew attention to the ongoing "death penalty" this year, along with reports of unfair trials and torture in Iranian prisons. She also emphasized widespread issues of "media and internet censorship" as well as "severe restrictions on freedom of expression, religion, and belief," all aimed at suppressing dissenting voices. The British representative at the UN human rights meeting pointed out that the international community has conveyed a "clear message" that "international observers" will not remain silent regarding the brutal repression by the Islamic Republic against its people—especially women and girls. She stressed that "despite this, after seven months, the people of Iran continue to live in fear, facing violence, oppression, and deprivation of their most basic human rights." The UN international fact-finding mission convened on Wednesday at the European headquarters of the UN in Geneva and presented its oral report to the "Human Rights Council" regarding the "human rights situation in the Islamic Republic."