Iran has voiced support for the two-day emergency meeting held by the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva discussing the issue of racism in the US leading to murder of 46-year-old African American by Minneapolis police officer lately.
Iran voices support for UN emergency meeting on George Floyd’s murder
18 Jun 2020 - 15:54
Iran has voiced support for the two-day emergency meeting held by the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva discussing the issue of racism in the US leading to murder of 46-year-old African American by Minneapolis police officer lately.
The gathering kicked off on Wednesday, hosting an address via video-link by the victim’s brother Philonise, who urged the UN body to investigate police brutality and racial discrimination in the United States. It is to hold its second part on Thursday.
“Iran backs the idea behind holding this meeting,” Ministry Spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Wednesday. The Islamic Republic, he added, is of the opinion that the United Nations-associated human rights resources and mechanisms have to “be geared towards confrontation of such phenomena as racism.”
In line with its religious, cultural, and national teachings, the Islamic Republic has always acted as a pioneer of fighting and confronting racism, the official noted. Tehran believes that systematic racism in some parts of the world, especially the US, has to be tackled at its roots, he noted.
Disturbing footage emerged on May 25 showing the officer choking unarmed Floyd to death by pinning him down with his knee.
The officer refused to relieve the pressure although Floyd was heard repeatedly pleading for his life and saying, “I can’t breathe.” The officers had been called to the scene, a Cup Foods’ store on the 3700 block of Chicago Avenue South, after the victim was reported to be attempting to use forged documents.
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