Statement by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on
Iran.
Thank you, President, and thank you Assistant
Secretary-General Pobee, Masih Alinejad, and Ahmad
Batebi for your briefings. We welcome this timely meeting.
The United Kingdom is appalled by the reports that potentially
thousands of people in Iran have been killed and many more
arrested in the most brutal repression of public protests in
decades.
Despite the regime's near-total internet shutdown, videos
emerging from Iran indicate that these reports may underestimate
the full scale of the horror currently underway.
The regime will claim that these protests were instigated by
“foreign backed” forces. But lies and propaganda cannot justify
its actions. This behaviour is not an aberration for this regime.
It is the latest manifestation of the repression and brutality we
have witnessed time and time again.
Let me be clear. We condemn the regime's actions in the strongest
possible terms.
We pay tribute to the courage of the Iranian people -
particularly Iranian women. Once again, they are bravely voicing
their aspirations to live in freedom and dignity in the face of
repression and violence.
As my Prime Minister stated, alongside his French and German
counterparts, we urge Iran to respect the fundamental rights and
freedoms of its people, including the right to protest without
fear of violence or repression.
Iranian authorities must protect their people – not brutalise
them.
Iran must urgently change course. We have delivered this message
directly to Foreign Minister Araghchi. As the G7 has made
clear, we will act alongside our partners to impose additional
restrictive measures if it does not.
As my Foreign Secretary has said, the world is watching. The
United Kingdom will continue to confront the regime's
misinformation, call out its repression, and support regional
peace and security.
