UN Fact-Finding Committee: The Death of Raisi Should Not Diminish Human Rights Violations in Iran

The head of the UN's independent fact-finding committee on the Islamic Republic, Sara Hussein, wrote in an open letter on Tuesday, June 7, referring to the committee's reports on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic, that the death of Ebrahim Raisi should not overshadow human rights violations in Iran. In this letter, she described the human rights situation in Iran under the Islamic Republic, especially concerning women and children, as 'dire' and added: 'The fact-finding committee, which was tasked with investigating the details and uncovering the facts of the repression of the people, particularly women and children, following the nationwide protests of 2022 in Iran, stated in its latest report that the Iranian government has been a blatant violator of human rights in this regard, and some of their actions constitute crimes against humanity.' She further warned about the potential impact of Raisi's death on 'serious human rights violations and breaches of international law' by the Iranian government, expressing concern over repressive policies and actions taken to further restrict women and girls in Iran, and called for an end to these behaviors. Sara Hussein also referred to the Islamic Republic's efforts to pass restrictive laws concerning cyberspace and a law known as 'Chastity and Hijab' aimed at increasing restrictions on women and girls, urging the Iranian government to withdraw these bills and prevent their continuation, and to recognize the inalienable rights of life and equality for women and religious minorities. This letter comes as Narges Mohammadi, a human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, on June 7, reacted to the holding of a 'Memorial Day for Ebrahim Raisi' at the United Nations, calling this act 'a celebration of executions and mass killings against the people of Iran.' In a text attributed to her published on social media, she referred to Raisi's memorial at the UN as a day of 'commemoration of gallows, executions, and mass killings of the people of Iran,' adding: 'The void left by executioners, dictators, and human rights violators is the abode of our freedom and victory. In hope of victory.' Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the thirteenth government of the Islamic Republic, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, his foreign minister, the Friday prayer leader of Tabriz, and several others were killed after their helicopter crashed in the Dizmar forest in East Azerbaijan province on May 30. Officials from some Western countries and members of international organizations, such as the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency, paid tribute or sent condolences after the deaths of the Islamic Republic officials, which faced severe protests from Iranians and political activists in other countries. Bazargan: The memorial for Raisi held by the UN is shameful. Claims of '12 million farewell'; criticism of Raisi's memorial at the UN: Gaddafi and Saddam did not have memorials either. Narges Mohammadi: Raisi's memorial at the UN is a commemoration of gallows and mass killings against the people of Iran. Exclusive to VOA: An opposition figure injured by supporters of the government says he will continue to fight. Continued reactions to the news of Raisi's death; 14 administrators of social media pages in Bushehr were summoned.