US Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN: Mahsa Amini Inspired a Movement That Continues

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, on Friday, recalling the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, stated: "Last year, the Iranian regime tragically ended Mahsa Amini's life, but she inspired a movement that continues despite brutal repression." In the statement from the US Permanent Representative to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield emphasized America's constructive role and its commitment to supporting popular protests in Iran, adding: "The United States' commitment to stand with the people of Iran is unwavering and will continue." The statement also noted that Mahsa Amini's courage inspired a movement that endures against the regime's "unprecedented brutality." Referring to the slogan "Women, Life, Freedom," it described it as a "message" that brought together "tens of thousands of ordinary Iranians — led by other brave Iranian women" to "protest" in the months following Mahsa's death. On Friday, the US announced new sanctions against 29 Iranian individuals and entities involved in the repression and violence against protesters, mistreatment of prisoners, and censorship. According to the US Ambassador to the UN, these sanctions also emphasize America's support for "the people of Iran and fundamental human rights, namely peaceful assembly and freedom of expression" and demonstrate the US commitment to "hold accountable officials of the Islamic Republic — who violate these fundamental freedoms." The statement continued by referencing some of America's actions in this regard: "For example, we led a successful campaign to remove the stain of the Islamic Republic's membership in the UN Commission on the Status of Women and supported the establishment of an independent UN fact-finding mission on Iran." The US Mission to the UN, citing a recent oral report and statement from the "UN Fact-Finding Mission," emphasized that the Islamic Republic has yet to conduct "credible investigations" into the cause of Mahsa Amini's death while in custody and that of other protesters. Linda Thomas-Greenfield also expressed serious concern over the report from the "Fact-Finding Mission" regarding the escalation of repression and retaliation against protesters and their family members, which is being held on this significant anniversary. The US Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN stressed that she urges the Islamic Republic to fully cooperate with the "Fact-Finding Mission's investigations" and hold accountable those responsible for the abuse of Mahsa and peaceful protesters. The US representative at the UN stated that this year, they will again join Canada, France, Norway, the UK, and the European Union to support a UN resolution highlighting the dire human rights situation in Iran and calling for accountability from the Islamic Republic. The UN General Assembly resolution on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic will be voted on this year, as it has been for over two decades, in November and December, first in the Third Committee and then in the General Assembly. In conclusion, the US Permanent Representative to the UN emphasized, "We stand up for all women and girls in Iran, and we stand with women for life and freedom, and our commitment to stand with women and the people of Iran is unwavering and will not change." In recent days, senior US officials, including President Joe Biden, along with the First Lady of the United States, Antony Blinken, the Secretary of State, and other officials, issued separate statements to commemorate the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death in custody of the 'morality police' and imposed new sanctions on individuals and entities involved in the repression of protesters. On the anniversary of Mahsa; Deputy Secretary of State: The Islamic Republic has not learned from the protests. Statement from the President of the United States on the anniversary of Mahsa: We will remain committed to standing with the people of Iran. On the anniversary of Mahsa; the White House: More sanctions against Islamic Republic officials are on the way. On the anniversary of Mahsa, the US sanctioned 25 Iranian individuals, three government-affiliated media outlets, and one internet company.