Costa, Bipartisan Members call for U.N. Human Rights Council special session on Iranian human rights abuses
WASHINGTON - Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) co-signed a letter with nearly 20 House members urging the Biden administration to support calling a special session of the United Nations Rights Council to investigate Iran’s human rights abuses, including its crackdown on nationwide protests and broader violations of women’s rights.
“Fundamental human rights are under attack in Iran,” the members wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield. “Since the tragic death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran’s so-called ‘Morality Police’ for allegedly wearing her headscarf incorrectly, thousands of Iranians have joined peaceful protests and demonstrations calling for their basic rights and freedoms to be respected. Young women and girls have been horribly beaten for protesting a government that seeks to control how they dress and act in public. Iran’s security forces have reportedly used live ammunition and tear gas against peaceful protestors, and have killed more than 215 people, including at least 23 children. These brave Iranians are entitled to the same human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people around the world.”
In addition “We appreciate the United States’ commitment to promoting and advancing human rights and believe that our government should lead efforts to bring about a united international response, building off the Special Rapporteur’s important work, by calling for a special session to address Iran’s brutal use of force against its citizens. A dedicated special session, which the Council has convened for other human rights emergencies but not yet for Iran, could gather independent information and reports on serious violations of human rights in Iran, and highlight abuses by security forces. We also encourage the special session to establish an independent investigative mechanism which Special Rapporteur Rehman has called for in response to Iran’s human rights violations. The U.S. must join our international partners in demanding accountability and justice for the protestors in Iran and standing up for the freedoms that all Iranians deserve.”
The letter was led by U.S. Representatives Kathy Manning (NC-06) and Joe Wilson (SC-02).
Co-signers of the letter include Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Ted Lieu (D-CA), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Dina Titus (D-NV), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Young Kim (D-CA), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Jim Costa (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Bill Keating (D-MA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL).