The Australian Human Rights Institute at UNSW Sydney strongly condemns the ongoing violence and suppression of free speech in Iran.
As an Institute dedicated to research and developing real-world solutions for human rights challenges, we condemn the use of force against protesters in Iran following the tragic death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, killed by so-called ‘hijab police’.
The brutal crackdown on peaceful members of the protest movement for freedom has now entered its third month and death sentences are being imposed on some protesters. Reports suggest that more than 300 individuals, including many children, have been killed by Iranian security forces and more than 14,000 protesters have been arrested.
“The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has condemned the violent response by Iranian security forces against protesters, and Iranian-Australians condemn the arbitrary arrests and killing and detention of children,” said Iranian-Australian Dr Elnaz Irannezhad, a Senior Lecturer in UNSW’s School of Civil Engineering, and an Australian Human Rights Institute Associate.
The Institute is calling on the Australian Government to explore the use of its Magnitsky sanctions to target members of the Iranian regime and work with other countries to remove Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
“Australia’s revised Magnitsky-style sanction regime (the Autonomous Sanctions) are designed for exactly this purpose and should be used to send a strong message to Iranian leadership,” said Professor Justine Nolan, Director of the Australian Human Rights Institute.
Dr Meead Saberi, an Associate Professor at UNSW’s School of Civil and Environmental Engineering and an Australian Human Rights Institute Associate, called on the Australian government to expedite the processing of any pending visa applications by Iranian nationals, to prioritise family reunion applications from relatives of Iranians already in Australia, as well as Iranian students currently admitted at Australian universities.
“It’s vital that prompt and careful consideration is given to any international protection claims that may be lodged by Iranians, including those already in Australia or who arrive in Australia on another type of visa and then claim asylum,” Dr Saberi said.