The UN Human Rights Council session spotlighted severe human rights violations in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela. Reports indicated state repression and violations during protests in Iran, a lack of transparency in Syrian humanitarian efforts, and electoral malpractice in Venezuela. Calls for accountability and further investigation were emphasized by independent experts.
During a recent session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, independent experts highlighted severe human rights violations in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela. Iran’s record was scrutinized following the protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. Sara Hossein, chair of the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, reported on the grave consequences faced by children during these demonstrations, emphasizing excessive force by authorities, including the use of metal pellet ammunition, torture, and rape in detention.
Hossein expressed concern over Iran’s ongoing repression, stating, “For two years, Iran has refused to adequately acknowledge the demands for equality and justice that fuelled the protests in 2022.” She pointed to the systematic harassment of victims and their families, especially women and girls, underscoring the lack of trust in Iran’s judicial system to provide justice and reparations. According to co-expert Shaheen Ali, accountability measures must be pursued outside Iran as well.
The council also addressed the situation in Syria, where Paulo Pinheiro, head of the Commission of Inquiry, called for more efforts to determine the fates of tens of thousands who have disappeared due to the Assad regime’s actions. He welcomed the new authorities’ willingness to cooperate but warned that Syria’s humanitarian situation remains dire due to dwindling funding: “Economic despair is known to fuel violence,” he stated, urging an end to sanctions.
Pinheiro met with families of the missing and vowed to assist in uncovering the truth through collaboration with human rights organizations. He called for large-scale efforts led by the current authorities to clarify the fate of the missing while preserving relevant evidence since the conflict began in 2011.
In Venezuela, Marta Valiñas, chair of the Independent International Fact-finding Mission, reported severe human rights violations, including political repression and arbitrary detentions. She highlighted concerns regarding the transparency of the 2024 presidential elections, where the Supreme Court dismissed results without thorough examination, indicating bias in the Electoral Council’s actions: “Credible testimonies indicated that council members received political instructions to announce a predetermined result.”
Prior to the January 2025 presidential inauguration, the detention of opposition figures surged, along with the suppression of anti-government protests. Valiñas reported deaths during these protests, confirming through video and photographic evidence that armed forces used live ammunition against demonstrators. Concerns regarding detainee deaths from alleged torture were raised, with reports of severe mistreatment during interrogations.
The Venezuelan government dismissed the mission’s findings, characterizing them as politically motivated and lacking scientific validity. The representative asserted that the allegations were based on fabricated sources, conflicting with the official narrative of the government.
The UN Human Rights Council has spotlighted grave violations occurring in Iran, Syria, and Venezuela, revealing systemic issues ranging from state repression to electoral malpractice. Each country’s situation highlights the need for accountability and justice, as officials call for international efforts to support victim rights and uncover truths. The continued disregard for human rights exacerbates the crises in these nations, requiring urgent global attention and intervention.
Original Source: news.un.org
