Speaking in London, Ebadi and Irene Khan, Amnesty International’s secretary-general, warned that the inauguration, due to take place on 5 August, would likely renew protests and may spark more violence, along with a renewed crackdown.
“People in Iran need international support now more than ever, as the political divisions in Tehran play themselves out,” said Ebadi. “International attention and pressure must be sustained and intensified to have impact on those calling the shots in Tehran,” she added.
Khan said that the United Nations must play a more “determined and decisive role” in pressing the Islamic Republic.
“Through its human rights and other mechanisms, the UN must investigate the violations taking place in Iran and compile evidence that can be used, one day, to bring those responsible to account,” she said.
Ahmadinejad’s disputed landslide victory sparked mass street protests throughout Iran, which killed at least 20 people, according to officials. But some human rights groups say that the death toll was likely to be much higher.
Source: Amnesty International website >>>
