Standing ovation for Wirral councillor's speech protesting Iranian 'crimes against humanity'

A councillor received a standing ovation for a speech calling out "crimes against humanity" in Iran.

Cllr Orod Osanlou, who lives in West Kirby and represents Oxton on Wirral Council, has been vocal about recent women's rights protests in Iran on social media. He called on fellow councillors to "support the people of Iran in their fight for freedom."

Widespread protests have erupted in Iran after Mahsa Amini, aged 22, died in police custody with videos showing women across the country cutting their hair and removing hijabs in protest.

Cllr Osanlou said: "To my colleagues and friends across all parties, to Wirral residents particularly those who have Iranian heritage. I would like to say "zan, zendegi, azadi," which means women, life, freedom.

"As a local councillor with dual British and Iranian nationality, I have insight into the horrors of the Islamic Republic of Iran and I would like to share some of these with you.

"In Iran, womens' rights are severely restricted. In Iran, LGBTQ+ activists are currently on death row just for fighting for their rights. In Iran, religious minorities are persecuted. In Iran, you do not have a right to a fair trial.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has also provided drones to Russia which have been used to attack Ukrainian citizens. On September 13, 2022, Mahsa Amini was arrested by the Islamic Republic morality police for improperly wearing a hijab.

"Following eyewitness reports of her being assaulted by the police, doctors told her family she died from bleeding in the brain. This was then redacted by the authorities who said the 22-year-old died of a heart attack.

"Nika Shakarami, aged 16, was later arrested by the police. 10 days later, her family were told that she committed suicide by jumping off a building. However the BBC have seen the official death certificate which suggests this wasn't the case and she died of blunt trauma.She was 16 years old.

"On Saturday, a 36-year-old man was executed behind the wheel of his car simply for honking his horn in line with peaceful protesters. Since then, a million of Iranians have been fighting for their human rights in Iran and hundreds of cities around the world including in Liverpool.

"The authorities have responded with a brutal crackdown using live ammunition on crowds resulting in hundreds of deaths. They have shut down the internet to try and stop the world from seeing these atrocities. 

"In 2019, similar protests saw thousands of Iranians murdered by the authorities using child soldiers against protesters, attacking unarmed civilians, killing children. These are crimes against humanity.

"I ask for you to support the people of Iran in their fight for freedom. Zan, zendegi, azadi. Women, life, freedom."

The speech was then followed by a long standing ovation with Mayor Jeff Green thanking Cllr Osanlou.