At the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Mr. Türk stated that despite a decrease in street killings in Iran, “the brutality continues”.
He emphasized that violent repression fails to resolve Iran’s issues and instead fosters further violations, instability, and bloodshed.
“Security forces have made mass arrests in multiple cities, pursued injured individuals into hospitals, and detained lawyers, human rights defenders, activists, and civilians,” he informed diplomats.
Prosecutions ongoing
Mr. Türk noted that the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office has initiated criminal cases against athletes, actors, film industry individuals, and café owners for allegedly supporting the protests.
Protests in Iran began on 28 December due to currency collapse, soaring inflation, and worsening living conditions.
At the Council, former international prosecutor Payam Akhavan recounted how one protester feigned death in a body-bag for three days until found by his parents.
Akhavan reported that parents searching for missing relatives often start at hospitals, where many wounded protesters have been abducted and killed.
Some have been coerced into signing confessions blaming fictional “terrorists” for their children’s deaths, Akhavan added.
He highlighted a medical report among Iranian doctors indicating 16,500 protest-related deaths, a number that continues to rise as the killings persist.
Rejection of Myanmar military’s ‘fraudulent’ election must be unequivocal: UN independent expert
The international community must categorically reject Myanmar’s election results and any subsequent power arrangement, stated Tom Andrews, the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar.
Describing the elections, which commenced in late December and end this weekend, as ‘fraudulent’, Andrews urged nations not to accept the outcomes.
“The junta hopes the world will accept military rule in civilian guise due to international fatigue,” he stated. “Governments must prevent that.”
‘Fear and coercion’
Mr. Andrews described the junta’s election process as violent, with low turnout and widespread coercion.
Voters reported monitoring and pressure from local authorities, with implicit or explicit threats. Junta officials compelled citizens to vote despite military jets bombing villages nationwide.
He noted the junta banned credible opposition parties, jailed popular politicians, and suppressed the press, “crushing fundamental freedoms, and using fear and coercion to drive a hesitant electorate to the polls.”
UN migration chief backs EU presidency efforts on migration
This week, UN migration agency (IOM) Chief Amy Pope completed a visit to Cyprus, focusing on advancing a comprehensive migration and asylum agenda.
“Cyprus understands frontline challenges – crucial experience now,” said Ms. Pope. “As the EU moves from agreement to action, it’s vital policies work for migrants, communities, and countries.”
This was Ms. Pope’s first visit to Cyprus in her current role, as Cyprus assumes the EU Council Presidency and the EU begins implementing the Migration and Asylum Pact.
Humane returns
Amidst ongoing instability in Afghanistan, Syria, Sudan, and the Sahel, Ms. Pope reaffirmed IOM’s commitment to work with the EU ensuring humane and dignified refugee returns.
She emphasized the urgent need to address conditions along key migration routes, with IOM highlighting efforts to curb irregular migration, disrupt smuggling networks, address
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