Tehran’s representative in the UN’s top human rights body tried to shut down the speech of a Swedish parliamentarian after he called the Islamic regime “an entity that clings to power by brutalizing its own people” and that “has no legitimacy,” and after he urged the assembled delegates to “take action against these tyrants.”
Alireza Akhondi, a member of the Swedish parliament of Iranian heritage, testified today before the United Nations Human Rights Council, at the invitation of the independent non-governmental human rights group UN Watch, which gave him the floor as part of a joint statement.
Although countries are supposed to deliver their response statements at the conclusion of the entire debate, the Iranian delegate interrupted Akhondi in the middle of his speech by invoking a procedural point of order, without any basis accusing the lawmaker of having failed “to observe the standard language and wording” of the council, and of using “unacceptable terms and phrases.” In fact, the delegates from Iran and other dictatorships routinely resort to the most inflammatory language when they attack Western countries or Israel.
Rather than reject Tehran’s baseless interruption and condemn its abuse of procedure, the chair of the UN debate, Ambassador Paul Efambe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who serves as Vice-President of the UNHRC, made a statement that appeared to embracing the premise of the Islamic regime’s remarks, implying that Akhondi’s language was not “commensurate with the dignity inherent to a discussion on human rights issues,” and that it lacked “tolerance and respect.”
Mr. Akhondi was not surprised by the regime’s failed attempt to shut down his speech. “It was exactly what we wanted the world to see. This is the Islamic Republic in a nutshell. They have taken 90 million Iranians as hostages, denying them their basic human rights. They tried to censor me because the Ayatollahs are afraid of the truth. But it’s difficult to silence a Member of Parliament with Iranian heritage, in the heart of Europe.”
Swedish MP Alireza Akhondi, speaking on behalf of a UN Watch joint statement:
Yesterday in Iran, IRGC Commander Hossein Salami defied the world, by saying, “We are a legitimate and globally recognized entity.”
Today we ask: Is the Islamic Republic a legitimate entity?
Lets consider. This Council’s investigators have documented how the Islamic Republic, imprisons, tortures, and executes its own people. Women are beaten, raped, silenced. Children and freedom seekers are imprisoned, murdered, exiled.
Mr. President, the truth is: an entity that clings to power by brutalizing its own people has no legitimacy.
So I ask the Islamic Republic representatives here: How can you claim to speak for the people of Iran?
You speak for their oppressors.
No diplomatic theater can erase the Islamic Republic’s crimes. No seat in a UN chamber will shield you from judgment of history.
I ask this Council: If you do not take action against these tyrants, what message will that send…..
UNHRC President: There is a point of order from the delegation of Iran.
Iranian representative: President, please remind the speaker to observe the standard language and wording of this esteemed body and not to use unacceptable terms and phrases in this esteemed body. Thank you.
UNHRC President: I would like to call on everyone to adhere to language that is commensurate with the dignity inherent to the discussion on human rights issues. So I count on your support in ensuring that a sense of respect permeate our discussion. Everyone has the right to express his or her views, but this should remain within the accepted framework. Tolerance and respect should be the code of the work of the Council. With this in mind, I give the floor back to the speaker.
Alireza Akhondi: Thank you Mr. President. This is not uncommon for the Islamic Republic.
I say to the people of Iran: Your courage shakes the foundation of the Ayatollahs. We see you. We hear you. And we will not stop until your voices rise, freely and fearlessly.
Thank you very much.
