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The United Nations condemned Tuesday’s death in custody of Mahsa Amini after she was arrested by Iran’s “morality police” and violently cracked down on protests over her death, calling for an independent investigation.
“Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Nassif today expressed shock at the death in custody of Mahsa Amini … and the security forces’ response to the protests that followed,” the Human Rights Office said in a statement. violent response.”
Public outrage grew after authorities announced Friday that Amini had died in hospital after a three-day coma after he was arrested by Tehran’s moral police during a visit to the capital on September 13.
The police department is responsible for enforcing Iran’s strict dress code for women, including wearing the hijab in public.
Demonstrations took place in Tehran, including several universities and the second largest city, Mashhad, according to the Fars and Tasnim news agency.
There were reports that the 22-year-old woman was “beaten in the head with a baton and her head was rammed into a vehicle by the so-called ethics police,” the UN statement said.
read more: Explained: Iran’s morality police, hijabs and violent protests over women’s deaths
Authorities have said she died of natural causes.
“Mahsa Amini’s tragic death and allegations of torture and ill-treatment must be promptly, impartially and effectively investigated by independent competent authorities, especially to ensure that justice and truth are available to her family,” Al-Nashif stated.
Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office, told reporters at the same time that Iranian security forces reportedly responded “with live ammunition” to the mass protests over Amini’s death.
In that crackdown, as many as five people are known to have died, she said.
In her statement, Al-Nashif also raised concerns about Iran’s mandatory veil law, which makes public appearances without a headscarf punishable by prison sentences.
“The authorities must stop targeting, harassing and detaining women who do not comply with the hijab rule,” said the acting UN rights chief, calling for the repeal of all discriminatory laws and regulations mandating the wearing of the hijab.
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