Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The death of young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini whilst in police custody in Iran has understandably caused widespread condemnation and protest against Iranian authorities across both Iran and the world. Mahsa Amini was arrested by Iranian morality police for not wearing the hijab in accordance with government standards. She subsequently died, with the cause of death reported as a skull fracture resulting from severe trauma. Since her death, dozens more people in Iran have died from the ensuing protests and riots. Iranian authorities are scrambling to deny any responsibility for Mahsa's death and are now threatening more force to quell the protesters.

Australia must join the international response in condemnation of Mahsa's death. I appreciate that Australia cannot interfere in the laws of other nations; however, the suppression of fundamental human rights, particularly those of women, and the use of brutality cannot be ignored. I join in the condemnation of such brutality and urge the government to take whatever diplomatic measures are available to express Australia's condemnation of Mahsa Amini's death and to bring to justice those responsible for her death.