What Happened
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, addressed the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, despite calls from human rights advocates for democratic governments to walk out in protest. Many delegates remained seated during his speech, which has drawn significant criticism from various human rights organizations.
Why It Matters
This event highlights a troubling reality for many Iranians, who continue to mourn the thousands killed during recent protests against the government. Critics argue that allowing representatives of the Iranian regime, which has been accused of committing crimes against humanity, to speak at such a prestigious platform undermines the gravity of these allegations. Brandon Silver, director of policy and projects at the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, emphasized that the regime’s perpetrators should face punishment rather than be given a platform to speak.
What’s Next
In the lead-up to Gharibabadi’s speech, human rights advocates and Iranian activists had urged democratic governments to boycott the session. UN Watch executive director Hillel Neuer warned that granting Iran a podium would send a damaging message to victims and their families. The failure of the walkout campaign raises concerns about the international community’s response to human rights violations in Iran and the potential for similar events in the future.
