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There were no remarks from the West European or East European groups, or from the United States, which normally speaks last representing the host country.

The United States will not attend todays United Nations tribute event for president Raisi in any capacity, Nate Evans, spokesperson for the US Mission to the UN said. Raisi was involved in numerous, horrific human rights abuses, including the extrajudicial killings of thousands of political prisoners in 1988. Some of the worst human rights abuses on record took place during his tenure.

The UN should be standing with the people of Iran, Evans said in a statement.

While the tribute was taking place in the assembly chamber, more than 100 protesters held banners across the street from UN headquarters saying: Shame on UN holding memorial for Raisi, Butcher of Tehran, and chanting similar words.

Before the assembly met, 45 current and former UN officials, experts, ambassadors and judges sent a joint letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres protesting the tribute to an individual involved in mass atrocities.

Raisi, 63, a powerful figure in Irans authoritarian Islamic government, was killed in a helicopter crash on May 20 along with the countrys foreign minister and six others.

He had long been considered a potential successor for Irans supreme leader, 85-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in whose hands power ultimately rests, but was reviled by opponents, and sanctioned by the US, for his role in mass executions of political prisoners at the end of Irans long war with Iraq in the 1980s.

Many also hold Raisi responsible for the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody in September 2022 after being detained for allegedly violating Irans mandatory headscarf law.

Aminis death sparked mass protests against the countrys ruling theocracy, and a security crackdown that saw more than 500 people killed and over 22,000 detained.

On Thursday, General Assembly President Dennis Francis opened the meeting offering the world bodys deepest condolences to the government and people of Iran.

Throughout his career, Francis said: president Raisi held significant roles in Iranian society and government and as president, led his countrys contribution to shape the tenets of our multilateral system and international cooperation.

Guterres then spoke, also offering condolences and said Raisi led Iran at a challenging time for the country, the region and globally but skipping a tribute.

Guterres assured the Iranian people the United Nations stands with them and in the quest for peace, development and fundamental freedoms.

He was followed by Burundis ambassador Zephyrin Maniratanga who spoke on behalf of African nations and praised Raisi as a distinguished leader who devoted his life to serving his nation and fostering international cooperation particularly with African countries.

Vanuatu diplomat Marjorie Wells, speaking for the Asia-Pacific group, then spoke, calling Raisis death a heartbreaking loss, saying he served the Iranian people with great dedication and passion and worked tirelessly to promote growth, justice and progress.

Haitis UN ambassador Antonio Rodrigue, speaking for the Latin America and Caribbean group, called Raisis death a great loss for Iran, recounting his career and saying he dedicated his life to the service of his country.

The West and East European and the US should have followed. Instead, Assembly president Francis then gave the floor to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Nonaligned Movement which Iran belongs to for tributes that praised Raisi.

The final speaker from the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Irans rival Saudi Arabia, said Raisi served his country and sent condolences to the Iranian people and leadership saying: We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.

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UN tribute to Iran's late president marred by protests and European and US snubs - South China Morning Post