• Investing
  • Stock
Round Table Thoughts
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Home Economy UN holds moment of silence for ‘Butcher of Tehran’ Raisi after Iranian president dies in helicopter crash
Economy

UN holds moment of silence for ‘Butcher of Tehran’ Raisi after Iranian president dies in helicopter crash

by May 21, 2024
by May 21, 2024 0 comment
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

Despite earning the nickname the ‘Butcher of Tehran’ for presiding over Iran’s human rights abuses, the United Nations on Monday held a moment of silence for Ebrahim Raisi after the Iranian president died in a helicopter crash. 

At the request of Russia, China, and Algeria, representatives – including United States Deputy Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood – stood at the U.N. Security Council for a minute to honor Raisi. 

Israeli U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan called the moment of silence in memory of ‘mass murdering’ Raisi a ‘disgrace.’ 

Erdan slammed the U.N. Security Council for doing nothing to advance the release of the remaining hostages who have been in Hamas captivity since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. 

This Council, Erdan said, ‘bowed its head for a man responsible for massacring and murdering thousands in Iran, in Israel, and around the globe. What’s next? Will the Council dedicate a moment of silence to commemorate Hitler?’ 

State Department spokesperson Matt Miller addressed the U.S.’ participation in the moment of silence at an afternoon press briefing. 

Asked if the U.S.’ participation was appropriate, Miller clarified that ‘we have been quite clear that Ebrahim Raisi was a brutal participant in the repression of the Iranian people for nearly four decades.’ 

Miller pointed to Raisi’s involvement in ‘numerous horrific human rights abuses, including playing a key role in the extrajudicial killing of thousands of political prisoners in 1988.’ 

‘Some of the worst human rights abuses occurred during his tenure as president, especially the human rights abuses against the women and girls of Iran,’ Miller said, but qualified: ‘That said, we regret any loss of life. We don’t want to see anyone die in a helicopter crash. But that doesn’t change the reality of his record, both as a judge and as the president of Iran.’ 

Behnam Ben Taleblu, an expert on Iranian security at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), criticized both the U.N. and the State Department for self-defeating actions.

‘Rather than use this time to push for moral clarity, this muddled approach towards Raisi’s bloody past mistakenly prioritizes diplomatic niceties over reality,’ Taleblu said.  

A senior adviser to the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. told Fox News Digital that it ‘is [the] diplomatic norm to stand for moments of silence in the Security Council and by no means represents any honor or tribute to a man whose repression and brutality the U.S. consistently countered in that very room.’ 

‘Raisi was a brutal participant in the repression of the Iranian people for nearly four decades.  He was involved in numerous, horrific human rights abuses, including playing a key role in the extrajudicial killings of thousands of political prisoners in 1988,’ the adviser said. ‘Some of the worst human rights abuses on record, especially against the women and girls of Iran, took place during his tenure.’

Iranian state media confirmed early Monday that President Raisi, along with others, including the country’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, was found dead after an hours-long search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest. 

Raisi was returning via helicopter after traveling to Iran’s border with Azerbaijan to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev when the crash happened in the Dizmar forest in East Azerbaijan province.

Raisi was seen as a protégé to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a potential successor for his position within the country’s Shiite theocracy.

But Raisi’s death has also highlighted his human rights record. 

In 1988, at the end of Iran’s long war with Iraq, Raisi served on what would become known as ‘death commissions,’ which handed down death sentences for political prisoners, militants and others. International rights groups estimate that as many as 5,000 people were executed.

Raisi has defended his actions, saying at a news conference that he was ‘proud of being a defender of human rights and of people’s security and comfort as a prosecutor wherever I was.’ 

Activists abroad, like the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran, described Raisi’s presidency as seeing ‘a stunning escalation of state repression and violence against peaceful dissent in Iran.’

‘Raisi presided over a country suffocated by a regime that fears its own people,’ said Hadi Ghaemi, the center’s executive director. ‘He was merely one boot on the necks of the Iranian people; others can easily take his place.’

Mass protests swept the country in 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who had been detained over her allegedly loose headscarf, or hijab. 

The monthslong security crackdown that followed the demonstrations killed more than 500 people and more than 22,000 others were detained.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
You Might Also Like
  • Biden only mentioned China 3 times in 2022 State of the Union address
  • The Impeachment Bistro: Republicans continue to keep impeachment on the menu
  • Senate Republicans prepare for long haul in fight over Ukraine, Israel aid
  • Devon Archer torpedoes Biden camp’s defense of controversial dinner with Burisma exec
Share
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestWhatsapp

previous post
MTG responds to House Dem planning to hawk merchandise using ‘bleach blonde’ insult used against her
next post
State Department offers condolences for death of Iran’s president in ‘baffling’ move, human rights lawyer says

You may also like

Legal group calls on Michigan bar to investigate, sanction Tlaib...

November 22, 2023

Gov. Hochul, Mayor Adams throw down over NYC ban on...

August 28, 2023

As Biden admin touts sharp drop in numbers post-Title 42,...

June 4, 2023

‘Election interference’: Trump lawyers call for delayed sentencing in Bragg...

August 15, 2024

Effort to ban mask mandates on public transportation gains steam...

September 13, 2023

Democrats not ready to ditch Biden over Hunter scandal fallout,...

August 1, 2023

Trump classified docs judge expands hearing to consider ‘unlawful’ appointment...

June 6, 2024

House GOP moves to name US coastal waters after Trump

June 13, 2024

Kansas Gov. Kelly vetoes trans bathroom, youth sex change bans

April 21, 2023

New York Dem backtracks after calling for Trump to be...

November 21, 2023

    Stay updated with the latest news, exclusive offers, and special promotions. Sign up now and be the first to know! As a member, you'll receive curated content, insider tips, and invitations to exclusive events. Don't miss out on being part of something special.


    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Recent Posts

    • How to Find Compelling Charts in Every Sector

      July 10, 2025
    • White House accuses Powell of mismanaging Federal Reserve, citing headquarters renovation

      July 10, 2025
    • Italian chocolate giant Ferrero to buy Kellogg’s Froot Loops maker

      July 10, 2025
    • OpenAI to release web browser in challenge to Google Chrome

      July 10, 2025
    • Sports executive charged with bid-rigging in Texas arena project

      July 10, 2025

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese...

      June 25, 2024 3,631 views
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be...

      June 27, 2024 2,919 views
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as...

      August 9, 2024 2,607 views
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful...

      July 10, 2024 2,577 views
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility...

      August 29, 2024 2,451 views

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,171)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,662)

    Popular Posts

    • 1

      Biden appointee played key role in recruiting Chinese businesses to Delaware: ‘Longtime friends’

      June 25, 2024
    • 2

      Trump-era China sanctions ended by Biden may be revived under new House GOP bill

      June 27, 2024
    • 3

      Walz’s honeymoon with China gets fresh scrutiny as Harris camp blasts ‘lying’ critics

      August 9, 2024
    • 4

      Shein’s global ambitions leaves some cybersecurity experts fearful of Chinese spy threats

      July 10, 2024
    • 5

      Harris VP pick spent years promoting research facility that collaborated with ‘Chinese military company’

      August 29, 2024

    Latest News

    • How to Find Compelling Charts in Every Sector

      July 10, 2025
    • White House accuses Powell of mismanaging Federal Reserve, citing headquarters...

      July 10, 2025
    • Italian chocolate giant Ferrero to buy Kellogg’s Froot Loops maker

      July 10, 2025

    Categories

    • Economy (7,009)
    • Editor's Pick (2,171)
    • Investing (538)
    • Stock (2,662)

    Disclaimer: RoundTableThoughts.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2024 RoundTableThoughts.com. All Rights Reserved.

    Round Table Thoughts
    • Investing
    • Stock
    Round Table Thoughts
    • Economy
    • Editor’s Pick

    Read alsox

    Kevin McCarthy reflects on history during...

    July 5, 2023

    West Virginia House passes bill expanding...

    February 2, 2023

    ‘HeGetsUs’ abstains from abortion issue, says...

    February 19, 2023
    Sign In

    Keep me signed in until I sign out

    Forgot your password?

    Password Recovery

    A new password will be emailed to you.

    Have received a new password? Login here