Protests have erupted in Iran following the killing of 22-year-old Mahsa (Zhina) Amini on 16 September 2022, with reports suggesting that Iran’s security forces have killed hundreds of citizens, including at least 44 children, in the aftermath.
The London Assembly is deeply concerned about the Iranian regime’s violent treatment of women and men protesting against the violation of their basic human rights and recognises the distress that must be felt in London’s Iranian communities.
Because of this, it has today agreed a motion calling on the Mayor and the Chair of the Assembly to write jointly to the Government, on behalf of Londoners, asking it to call for a halt to executions and to support those protesting in Iran.
Zack Polanski AM, who proposed the motion, said:
"The Iranian people have a right to govern themselves, to democracy, to exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly and to be free of tyranny. We must listen, and offer our solidarity when the people of Iran are simply asking us to “Be their voice.”
"So many Iranians, go out in the face of absolute uncertainty, there is no justice system on which they can rely.
"This motion urgently calls for the convictions and death sentences against individuals named by human rights organisations to be quashed, making a clear and unequivocal public statement of support from London."
Sem Moema AM, who seconded the motion, said:
“The Iranian regime’s barbaric treatment of protesters and reports of security forces killing more than 500 demonstrators, including 70 children, are abhorrent.
“At least 100 people are said to be facing death sentences after tens of thousands were arrested – four have already been executed amid alarming claims of torture and sham trials.
“We need to show support for the Iranian people, and Iranian Londoners, and take a stand against a ruthless regime who are blaming the influence of outsiders to further supress its own people.
“I am urging the Iranian authorities to stop the violence against its citizens and end the appalling use of the death penalty against protesters.”
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly is deeply concerned about the Iranian regime’s violent treatment of women and men who are protesting against the violation of their basic human rights, following the killing of 22 year old Mahsa (Zhina) Amini on 16 September 2022.
This Assembly notes Iran’s security forces have since killed hundreds of citizens, including at least 44 children. Amnesty International found that most of these children were killed due to security forces unlawfully firing live ammunition at their head, heart or other vital organs. More than 18,000 demonstrators have also been arrested since mid-September.
This Assembly recognises the distress that must be felt by our friends and neighbours in London’s Iranian communities, including the approximate 45,0001 Londoners who were born in Iran, as a result of these actions.
This Assembly notes that Amnesty International has reported that some of those at imminent risk of execution are: Elham Modaressi; Sahand Nourmohammad-Zadeh; Mahan Sadrat (Sedarat) Madani; Manouchehr Mehman Navaz; Mohammad Boroughani; Mohammad Ghobadlou; Saman Seydi (Yasin); Hamid Ghare Hasanlou; Hossein Mohammadi; an unnamed individual in Alborz province; Saeed Shirazi; Abolfazl Mehri Hossein Hajilou; Mohsen Rezazadeh Gharegholou; Akbar Ghafari; Toomaj Salehi; Ebarhim Rigi; Amir Nasr Azadani; Saleh Mirhashemi; Saeed Yaghoubi; Farzad (Farzin) Tahazadeh; Farhad Tahazadeh; Karvan Shahiparvaneh; Reza Eslamdoost; Hajar Hamidi and Shahram Marouf-Moula.
This Assembly calls on the Mayor and the Chair of the Assembly to write jointly to the Government, on behalf of Londoners, asking them to call for a halt to executions and support those in Iran exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed unanimously.
- Zack Polanksi AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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