GENEVA, March 18, 2025 — For the second time in two days, Tehran’s representative in the UN’s top human rights body tried unsuccessfully to shut down Swedish MP Alireza Akhondi as he was exposing the Islamic regime’s brutality. Before he was interrupted, Akhondi asked, “how much more blood needs to be spilled before the world acts?”
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 use the standard language of the United Nations,” and of speaking in an “uncivilized manner.” 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 Claudia Fuentes Julio of Chile, 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 “suited to the dignified discussion on a human rights topic,” and that it lacked “tolerance and respect.” A day prior, another Vice-President of the UNHRC, Ambassador Paul Efambe of the Democratic Republic of Congo, also permitted Tehran’s baseless interruption and embraced the premise of the Iranian delegate’s remarks.
Mr. Akhondi was not surprised by the regime’s failed attempt to shut down his speech twice. “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.”
TRANSCRIPT OF UN CLASH:
Swedish MP Alireza Akhondi, speaking on behalf of a UN Watch joint statement:
Vice President, how much more blood needs to be spilled before the world acts?
For 46 years, the Islamic Republic has ruled by terror and the UN Fact-Finding Mission has revealed only the tip of the iceberg.
Today, I speak for those who cannot. For the woman in Iran setting fire….
UNHRC Vice-President, Claudia Fuentes Julio:
I apologize. I need to give the floor to Iran for a point of order. Please go ahead, Iran.
Islamic Republic of Iran Representative, Mrs. Somayeh Karimdoost:
Thank you. Madam Chair.
While we believe in constructive engagement with civil society, we request you to ask the speaker to use the standard language of the United Nations, especially when using the name of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The NGOs, who have [been] granted opportunity to sit here and speak, should know the standard of speaking and speak in a civilized manner. Thank you.
UNHRC Vice-President Claudia Fuentes Julio:
Thank you.
I’d like to appeal to all those present to please abide by a language that is suited to the dignified discussion on a human rights topic, and I count on your support to ensure that our discussion continues with shows of due respect. Every person has the right to express their opinion, as long as they do so in an acceptable fashion. Tolerance and respect are key for the work of this council.
That said, I would like to give the floor back to the speaker so that they may finish their statement.
Swedish MP Alireza Akhondi, speaking on behalf of a UN Watch joint statement:
For the women in Iran who set their headscarves on fire in protest, only to be met with bullets.
For the men who demand freedom only to be silenced with torture.
For the children who realize their opinion can be a death sentence.
The name Jina Mahsa Amini still echoes in our hearts. She was one of many arrested, beaten, murdered.
This terror is not only contained within Iran’s border.
Today, as we sit here, murderers hired by the Islamic Republic stand trial in Europe and the United States for plots to assassinate Iranian activists.
To the world, I say silence is complicity.
To this council, I say words of condemnation are not enough.
Iranians need protection. They need accountability. They need justice.
If this council cannot defend the persecutors, it risks becoming a stage for the oppressors.
The Iranian people are shouting “Woman, Life, Freedom!”
Their fight is our fight. We must not fail them.
YESTERDAY’S UN CLASH:
TRANSCRIPT:
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 keywords 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.
