The United States will next week put the United Nations
spotlight on the Islamic Republic of Iran protests, sparked by the death of a
22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, in police custody.
According to a note outlining the event and reported by
Reuters, the US and Albania will hold an informal U.N. Security Council
gathering on Wednesday. Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi and
Iranian-born actress and activist Nazanin Boniadi will brief about the Iranian
government's human rights violations and abuses. According to Reuters,
independent U.N. investigator on human rights in Iran, Javaid Rehman, will also
attend the meeting to promote independent investigations into Iranian human
rights abuses.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has been gripped by protests
since the death of Amini. The biggest protest in almost three years has turned
into a popular revolt by Iranians against the clerical leadership.
Many people took to the streets, demanding justice for
Amini. Women chopped off their hair on the streets. Many people burned posters
of the Supreme Leader of Iran. School and college students also participated in
the protest. Protesters blamed Iranian morality police and security forces over
the death of Amini. Rights groups have said at least 250 protesters have been
killed during the protests.
Witnesses claimed that Iranian morality police forcefully
took Amini into a van. Witnesses also said that morality police hit her at the
detention centre, which led to her death. Amini’s cousin said that Iranian
morality police hit Amini violently with a baton because she wore a loose
hijab. Amini’s family also said that the Iranian morality police were
responsible for Amini’s death. However, Iranian authorities denied all the
allegations. They said that Amini died due to health issues. Iran also blamed
its enemies for the unrest. Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York
accused the United States of inciting riots in the country.
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