UN calls on Iran to avoid using ‘unnecessary force’ on protesters

A person places a flower in front of a portrait of Masha Amini during a protest rally in front of the European headquarters of the United Nations in Geneva (Keystone via AP)

The United Nations Secretary-General has called on Iran to refrain from using “unnecessary or disproportionate force” against protesters as unrest over a young woman’s death in police custody spread across the country.

Antonio Guterres called for a swift and impartial investigation by authorities into the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, which has sparked unrest across Iran’s provinces and the capital of Tehran.