'Politicized': Top Iranian Official Refutes UN Fact-Finding Report on 2022 Protests

Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy for International Affairs of the Islamic Republic's judiciary and head of Iran's High Council for Human Rights, dismissed the findings of the United Nations fact-finding mission on Iran's 2022 protests.

He called the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that produced the report a "so-called fact-finding mission" and accused its members of "politicizing human rights and turning a blind eye to violations committed against the Islamic Republic."

Gharibabadi characterized the Woman, Life, Freedom movement as a "riot" and claimed the government used "minimal force" in response.

As the UNHRC convenes a meeting on March 18 on the Islamic Republic's actions during the protests, Gharibabadi said the creation of the fact-finding mission was a Western attempt to pressure Iran, with Germany leading the charge. 

Gharibabadi argued that unilateral sanctions against Iran violated the human rights of millions and highlighted the West's silence on civilian casualties in Gaza as evidence of double standards.

He further alleged that Western countries aimed to destabilize Iran before the protests erupted, and they seized upon the death of Mahsa Amini to fuel the unrest.

The deputy also claimed that the UN mission's report was only based on information provided by anti-government groups.

Gharibabadi accused the protesters of resorting to violence and damaging public property.