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Iranians protest in front of the UN in Geneva
Photo: MARTIAL TREZZINI / EPA
For months, the regime in Tehran has been brutally cracking down on its own population to suppress protests.
An international investigation is now to document the events.
This was decided by the UN Human Rights Council.
At a special session of the Council, 25 members voted in favor of a resolution tabled by Germany and Iceland.
Six members voted against, 16 others abstained.
An independent investigative mission is now to document human rights violations in Iran and collect evidence for possible criminal prosecution of those responsible.
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UN Human Rights Council: Baerbock raises voice for demonstrators in Iran
In Iran, numerous people have been taking to the streets against the leadership in Tehran for weeks.
The trigger was the death of the young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in mid-September – she was arrested by the vice squad because she is said to have worn her headscarf improperly.
The authorities are reacting to the protests with increasing severity.
Hundreds have died since the protests began
According to UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk, more than 300 people have been killed since the demonstrations began.
He spoke of a tyranny in Iran.
The Oslo-based organization Iran Human Rights (IHR) even assumes that more than 400 people have died, including more than 50 children.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) and dozens of other diplomats had previously sharply criticized Iran's actions against peaceful demonstrators at a meeting of the Human Rights Council.
The world should not stand idly by as "innocent people, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and children are murdered," said Baerbock.
Those responsible must be held accountable.
FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai, who has Iranian roots, called the Human Rights Council's vote an "important sign".
It shows the courageous people of Iran that the international community will not leave them alone.
"It shows the regime in Tehran that international organizations are not simply standing by and idly watching the blatant violations of human rights."
mfh/AFP
