Germany aims for UN human rights resolution on Iran

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) - Germany is pressing for a human rights resolution on Iran to be adopted during a special session at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva later this week, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Monday.

“The federal (German) government has repeatedly expressed its concern about the massive violence being used by the Iranian security forces against the protesters and against the Iranian civilian population,” Christofer Burger told media representatives in Berlin.

“At this point, I can only reiterate our demand on the Iranian regime that violence against people who freely express their opinions and exercise their right to assembly must stop immediately. Of course, it is particularly shocking when children become victims of this completely disproportionate violence,” he added.

Burger stressed the Iranian government’s “legal obligation to protect its people” in the wake of the security crackdown following mass protests in the aftermath of the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini on Sept. 16. She had been detained by morality police for allegedly flouting Iran's strict dress code imposed on women.

“From our point of view, this is also a legal obligation for Iran to protect its population, which is why we, together with many other states, have requested a special session of the United Nations People's Council in Geneva this week,” Burger said.

“We want to pass a resolution there that condemns the procedure and decides on counter-measures. In particular, we believe that an independent investigative mission should be commissioned there to document human rights violations,” he added.

On Nov. 11, Germany and Iceland submitted a request on behalf of dozens of countries to hold a special meeting at the UN Human Rights Council on the ongoing protests.

The request called for the session "to address the deteriorating human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, especially with respect to women and children," according to the letter signed by the two countries' ambassadors.