The UN Human Rights Council highlighted severe violations in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, focusing on repression, torture, and electoral fraud reported by independent experts. The Iranian government’s handling of protests, the missing individuals in Syria, and Venezuela’s political repression signify broad human rights concerns. Experts stress the need for international accountability and protective measures.
On Tuesday, independent experts presented reports to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, highlighting serious human rights violations occurring in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela. The Council’s examination unveiled issues stemming from the Iranian government’s response to protests ignited by Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022, alongside the situations observed in the two other countries.
Sara Hosseini, chairing the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, reported alarming conditions, specifically mentioning that children were fatally injured or wounded during peaceful protests due to metal pellet ammunition. Furthermore, detainees reportedly encountered severe abuse, including torture and rape while in custody, reflecting a broader theme of state-led repression.
Hosseini expressed concern over Iran’s inadequate acknowledgment of demands for equality and justice stemming from the protests. She criticized the criminalization and oppression faced by protesters and victims’ families, particularly affecting women and girls. The Iranian authorities’ failure to ensure justice for victims reflects a considerable disquiet, as many survivors distrust the judicial system.
Turning to Syria, Paulo Pinheiro, head of the Commission of Inquiry, stressed the need for increased efforts to reveal the circumstances of thousands of individuals missing due to the Assad regime’s actions. While noting the cooperation of new caretaker authorities with investigators, he cautioned about the dire economic and humanitarian crises persisting in Syria that exacerbate violence and necessitate the cessation of sanctions.
Pinheiro explained that families of the disappeared are demanding answers and justice, emphasizing that revealing their fates would require extensive collaboration between authorities and humanitarian organizations to share essential data gathered since 2011.
In her address, Marta Valiñas, chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, detailed severe human rights abuses, including political repression and arbitrary detentions, especially preceding the contentious 2024 presidential election. There were grave concerns regarding electoral processes, with allegations of predetermined outcomes and lack of transparency from the National Electoral Council.
Valiñas reported a disturbing trend of detentions among opposition members and dissidents, exacerbated by security forces’ suppression of protests resulting in significant violations of rights. Investigations into fatalities during protests, notably involving the Army’s use of firearms, corroborate worries about state-sanctioned violence.
Concerning the treatment of detainees, Valiñas indicated that many suffered dire health complications while in custody, often tied to torture during interrogations. The Venezuelan government vehemently rejected these findings, dismissing them as biased and politically motivated, further complicating prospects for accountability.
The UN Human Rights Council session drew attention to critical violations in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, revealing systemic abuses including torture, repression, and electoral fraud. The testimonies presented by independent missions underscored the urgency for international accountability and protective measures for vulnerable populations in these nations. Ongoing state-led violence and oppression particularly against marginalized groups signals a severe impairment of human rights that requires immediate attention.
Original Source: www.miragenews.com
