UN Faces Backlash for Tribute to Late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi

The United Nations General Assembly faced criticism on Thursday for its tribute to late Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash on May 19. 

The session began with a minute's silence, followed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres offering condolences to the families of the victims and the Iranian people. 

"I wish to assure that the United Nations stands in solidarity with the Iranian people and in the quest for peace, development and fundamental freedoms," Guterres said

When questioned about the Secretary-General's decision to offer condolences, his spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, defended the gesture. 

Dujarric emphasized that Guterres has consistently expressed deep concerns about the human rights situation in Iran, particularly issues affecting women. 

However, he noted that this did not preclude offering condolences when a head of state from a member country dies.

No representatives from Western countries spoke at the tribute. 

France and the United States, among others, chose not to send representatives. 

Nate Evans, spokesperson for the US delegation, criticized the UN's stance and highlighted Raisi's controversial past. 

"The UN should be standing with the people of Iran. Raisi was involved in numerous, horrific human rights abuses, including the extrajudicial killings of thousands of political prisoners in 1988," Evans said. 

"Some of the worst human rights abuses on record took place during his tenure," Evans added.

Outside the UN headquarters in New York, several dozen protesters voiced their opposition to the Iranian authorities, chanting, "Shame on UN."

On Monday, Narges Mohammadi, the imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate, criticized the United Nations' memorial ceremony for Raisi, calling it "a commemoration of the executions and mass killings."

In a letter from Evin prison, she wrote, "When the governments of the world elevate a blatant human rights violator and butcher from Iran's history to a position of honor, as if mourning a peace-loving and democratic figure, they set a dangerous precedent. 

"This emboldens dictators, oppressors, torturers, and executioners worldwide.

"By opening its doors to commemorate Raisi, the United Nations is effectively shutting the already fragile doors on its human rights foundations, a decision I deeply regret," she said.