Iran thanks Pakistan for opposing UN rights vote in Geneva

Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan has publicly thanked Islamabad for opposing a UN Human Rights Council resolution deepening the international investigation into Tehran’s crackdown on protests.

“I express my sincere gratitude to the Honorable Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, under the leadership of the Honorable Prime Minister, HE Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Muhammad Ishaq Dar,” Iran’s Ambassador Raza Amiri Moghadam said in a statement on X.

He said Pakistan provided “historic and unwavering support” to Iran at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva by calling for a vote and casting a negative vote against what he described as a “baseless resolution targeting Iran.”

“I convey my special appreciation to the competent and professional representatives of Pakistan’s Permanent Mission in Geneva for their tireless efforts and dedication in the pursuit of justice,” he said.

Moghadam said Pakistan’s stance marked “the third consecutive defeat for unprovoked and politically motivated actions against Iran over the past year,” citing what he called “the unprovoked 12-day aggression, recent foreign-backed riots aimed at destabilizing the country, and the misuse of international organizations to pursue capricious and hostile agendas by certain members.”

“Such steadfast support is a clear reflection of Pakistan’s enduring commitment to justice, multilateralism, respect for human rights and national sovereignty, and will be remembered with deep appreciation,” he added.

A day earlier, the 47-member UN Human Rights Council voted to expand its investigation into Iran over its violent crackdown on protests that UN officials say has left thousands dead, including children.

Read here: UNHRC rejects ‘unprecedented’ Iran crackdown

With 25 votes in favor, seven against and the rest abstaining, the council decided to extend and expand the mandate of independent investigators gathering evidence to ensure accountability for human rights abuses in Iran.

The council expressed alarm at “the unprecedented scale of the violent repression of peaceful protests by security forces.”

“A climate of fear and systematic impunity cannot be tolerated,” Iceland’s ambassador Einar Gunnarsson said while presenting the resolution. “People and survivors deserve truth, justice and accountability.”

The adopted text extended the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran by another year and extended the work of a separate investigative mission established in November 2022 by two years after protests erupted over the death of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian Kurdish woman, in custody.

The resolution authorizes investigators to investigate “allegations of recent and ongoing serious human rights violations and violations and crimes committed in connection with the protests.”

The vote followed an emergency meeting of the council requested by Britain, Germany, Iceland, Moldova and North Macedonia, a move sharply criticized by Iran.

In opening remarks to the council, UN rights chief Volker Turk said Iranian security forces had used “live ammunition” against protesters, adding that “thousands” had been killed, including children.

“I call on the Iranian authorities to reconsider, back down and end their brutal repression, including summary trials and disproportionate sentences,” Turk said.