Raisi's Death Highlights Controversial Legacy Amid UN Moment of Silence

Despite being accused of human rights abuses, the United Nations held a moment of silence for Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi following his death in a helicopter crash. The move has sparked criticism from Israel and the U.S., while the State Department maintains it does not condone Raisi's past.

The United Nations held a moment of silence on Monday for Ebrahim Raisi, the Iranian president who died in a helicopter crash. The move has sparked controversy, as Raisi was known as the "Butcher of Tehran" for his role in human rights abuses.

Representatives from the UN Security Council, including US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood, stood for a minute to honor Raisi. However, Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan condemned the gesture, calling it a "disgrace."

Erdan criticized the UN Security Council for failing to address the ongoing detention of hostages in Hamas captivity. He questioned if the Council would also hold a moment of silence for Adolf Hitler.

State Department spokesperson Matt Miller clarified that the US participation in the moment of silence did not condone Raisi's human rights record. Miller highlighted Raisi's involvement in the extrajudicial killing of thousands of political prisoners in 1988.

Miller added that while the US regrets any loss of life, it does not change the reality of Raisi's past. He emphasized the human rights abuses committed against Iranian women and girls during Raisi's presidency.

Behnam Ben Taleblu, an expert on Iranian security, criticized both the UN and the State Department for their actions. He argued that prioritizing diplomatic niceties over moral clarity undermines efforts to counter human rights violations.

A senior adviser to the US Ambassador to the UN defended the moment of silence as a diplomatic norm. The adviser emphasized that the gesture did not represent honor or tribute to Raisi, but rather a protocol to show respect for the deceased.

Despite Raisi's death, his human rights legacy remains under scrutiny. His tenure as president was marked by a crackdown on dissent and the execution of political prisoners.

Raisi's death has raised questions about the future of Iran's leadership. He was considered a protégé of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and a potential successor.

The Center for Human Rights in Iran condemned Raisi's presidency for escalating state repression and violence. Hadi Ghaemi, the center's executive director, called Raisi a symbol of a regime that fears its own people.

Mass protests erupted in Iran in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman detained over her loose headscarf. The security crackdown that ensued resulted in hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.