The U.N. General Assembly’s tribute to Iran’s late President Ebrahim Raisi was met with controversy and protests on Thursday as Western and East European nations boycotted the event. Raisi, who passed away recently, was known for his brutal crackdown on opponents, leading to widespread condemnation of his human rights record.
While representatives from African, Asian-Pacific, and Latin American and Caribbean regional groups spoke in tribute to Raisi, there were no remarks from the West European or East European groups, or from the United States. The U.S. Mission to the U.N. made it clear that they would not participate in the event due to Raisi’s involvement in horrific human rights abuses, including the extrajudicial killings of thousands of political prisoners.
Outside the U.N. headquarters, more than 100 protesters gathered with banners denouncing the tribute to Raisi, calling him the “Butcher of Tehran.” Additionally, 45 current and former U.N. officials, experts, ambassadors, and judges sent a joint letter to U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres protesting the tribute to an individual involved in mass atrocities.
Despite the controversy, some representatives praised Raisi’s leadership and contributions to international cooperation. However, the absence of Western and East European nations, as well as the U.S., highlighted the deep divisions over honoring a leader with a tainted legacy. The event underscored the ongoing debate within the international community about how to address leaders with troubling human rights records.