One Year of “Woman, Life, Freedom”: The Ongoing Persecution of Minorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran
UNGA-78 Side Event
Date: October 27, 2023
Time: 12:30 – 1:30 EST
Location: Scandinavia House, 58 Park Ave, New York, NY 10016
Objective:
This side event will gather States, United Nations human rights experts, and NGOs monitoring the situation of human rights in Iran and offer an update on the situation of minorities inside ofIran over the past year in the context of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests and beyond.
Experts will share elements of analysis and provide recommendations as to what should be done going forward, including seeking redress to victims, and holding perpetrators accountable. A particular emphasis will be placed on the specific role of minorities in Iran and the challenges they have and continue to face in light of ongoing persecution at the hands of Iranian authorities.
Background:
It has been just over one year since the death in detention of Zhina Mahsa Amini, which triggered widespread protests throughout the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI). While largely peaceful, the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests were met with excessive force from authorities, leading to seemingly endless human rights violations and potential violations of international law.
Next to targeting women in all their diversity for not adhering to the oppressive and forced gender norms and stereotypes as decreed by the regime, the protests also shed light on the widespread discrimination against minority groups inside of the country. Ethnic, religious, sexual and gender minorities are frequently the subject of discrimination in both law and practice.
Despite longstanding and widespread calls for accountability impunity remains the norm, while pressure on minority groups inside of Iran persists and, in some ways, increases, seemingly, with the aim to discourage and crush any form of dissent and protest in the country.
Moderator: Deepa Parent, Independent journalist covering conflict and human rights
Opening Remarks: Iranian human rights activists, virtual remarks from inside of Iran
Keynote Remarks: Dr. Javaid Rehman, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran
Panelists
● Skylar Thompson, Director of Global Advocacy and Accountability
Human Rights Activists (HRA)
● Simin Fahendej, United Nations Representative
Baha’i International Community
● Awin Mostafazade, Iranian human rights activist, Spokesperson
Kurdpa
● +1 TBC
The event will be on the record and open to the media.
