A rally unfolded in front of the United Nations HQ on September 19th, decrying the oppressive regime in Iran, coinciding with the presence of regime president Ebrahim Raisi at the UN General Assembly session. 

Prof. Melanie O’Brien, the respected President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, emerged as the voice of dissent, amplifying the protest.

“What a privilege it is for us all to be here, holding this rally… A privilege that those in Iran do not have,” said Prof. O’Brien, emphasizing the freedoms the rally participants enjoyed in stark contrast to those suffering under Iran’s authoritarian rule.

The rally, organized by supporters of the Iranian Resistance, witnessed O’Brien passionately advocating the need to use our privileges to voice out against Iran’s tyrannical regime. O’Brien highlighted the importance of international solidarity with the people of Iran, particularly women and academic professionals, who are continually oppressed by the regime.

She shared, “The Iranian regime is targeting professors and universities… They clamp down on the very people who teach critical thinking, who question the regime’s way of doing things.” She also spotlighted the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman arrested by Iran’s morality police, which spurred a wave of uprisings led predominantly by women.

However, the most potent portion of her speech was the fervent critique of the international system, which allows figures like Raisi, known for his human rights abuses, to enjoy immunity. O’Brien urged, “Prosecute Raisi for these crimes!” and drew parallels with former heads of states such as Augusto Pinochet and Charles Taylor who faced legal consequences for their crimes once out of power.

“Head-of-state immunity also has its failures. It leads to impunity for leaders who are violating human rights,” she asserted, pointing out the incongruity of Raisi being welcomed at the UN. She invoked countries like Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany for setting precedents by arresting members of criminal regimes for international crimes and pushed for more nations to follow suit.

In a clarion call, Prof. O’Brien urged the members of the General Assembly, “Name and shame Raisi, Raisi out of the UN! Prosecute Raisi!” She beckoned states to either figuratively or literally turn their backs on Raisi, and instead, demand justice for victims of human rights violations in Iran.

The speech resonated deeply with the attendees, reflecting the international call for change and accountability for leaders abusing power, further elevating the ongoing discussion on international justice and diplomacy.