Iran Human RightsIn draft resolution, United Nations rebukes Iran for rights...

In draft resolution, United Nations rebukes Iran for rights violations since election

-

ImageNew York Times: The United Nations criticized Iran on Friday for numerous human rights abuses in the wake of the disputed presidential election in June, including the arrests, intimidation and mass trials of members of the political opposition. The New York Times

By NEIL MacFARQUHAR

ImageUNITED NATIONS — The United Nations criticized Iran on Friday for numerous human rights abuses in the wake of the disputed presidential election in June, including the arrests, intimidation and mass trials of members of the political opposition.

A draft resolution detailing the criticism was approved by a vote of 74 to 48, with 59 countries abstaining.

Although a resolution rebuking Iran for domestic oppression has been an annual event for about 15 years, the latest version expressed particular concern about the “rise in human rights violations” after the election.

In Iran, the fallout from the election protests continued, with more opposition figures sentenced to prison terms. A nationwide campaign of arrests was reported by student Web sites, with the government apparently focusing on student leaders before protests expected on Dec. 7, known as Student Day.

The violations listed in the United Nations’ draft resolution included the death and injury of opposition members and other citizens trying to exercise their right to freedom of expression; the use of violence and intimidation by the government-run Basij militia forces; the abuse of prisoners, including rape and torture as well as forced confessions; and severe restrictions on media coverage of the events.

The resolution also singled out the arrests of foreign embassy employees, which it called inconsistent with international agreements.

The Iranian ambassador, Mohammad Khazaee, called the resolution politically motivated. He lashed out at the human rights record of Canada, the main sponsor of the resolution, and defended Iran’s performance.

“The election was another display of the democratic nature and openness of the political system,” he said.

A number of countries said they had voted against the measure or abstained because they did not think the General Assembly should be the venue for criticizing individual countries. Many diplomats noted in their speeches that they were concerned about human rights issues in Iran after the election.

The measure was approved Friday in the special committee of all 192 United Nations members that forwards draft resolutions on human rights issues to the General Assembly, virtually assuring its passage by the main body.

Meanwhile in Iran, Ali Behzadiyan-Nejad, a political activist whose uncle was the campaign manager for the opposition presidential candidate Mir Hussein Moussavi, was sentenced to six years in prison, his lawyer reported. He had been charged with endangering national security, spreading propaganda against the government and “disturbing the public order.”

On Wednesday, Iran’s judiciary issued verdicts for more than 80 people charged during the post-election protests. Most of the sentences were prison terms and lashings, but they included five death sentences against unidentified individuals convicted of carrying out what the government called terrorist attacks.

Among those sentenced was Abdullah Momeni, the spokesman for a reformist student group, who received eight years in prison.

Latest news

Land Subsidence in Critical Conditions in Isfahan

Mehdi Toghyani, a member of the Iranian regime’s Majlis (parliament), pointed to the occurrence of land subsidence in various...

Iran’s Actual Inflation Rate Higher Than Official Stats

The state-run Donya-e-eqtesad newspaper, in a report analyzing the "general sentiment" regarding inflation in 2023, has stated that households...

Iranian Workers’ Monthly $136 Wages Can’t Cover $500 Expenses

The lives of a significant portion of the Iranian population are marked by uncertainty, largely because the Iranian economy...

Iranian Nurses Earn Twice Their Wages in Ride-Hailing Services

Reza Aryanpour, a member of the regime’s Majlis (parliament) Health and Treatment Commission, highlighted the growing trend of nurses...

Iran: Unprecedented Record of 152 Million Liters of Gasoline Consumption Per Day

On March 19, Iran set a new historical record in gasoline consumption with 152 million liters consumed in one...

Iran’s Youths Have Highest Unemployment Rate

The Iranian regime’s Eghtesad News website reported that data from the Statistical Center of Iran shows that the youth...

Must read

Iran issues warning as UN nuclear watchdog mulls resolution

AFP: Iranian officials warned the UN's atomic energy watchdog...

Iran police round up hundreds in Tehran crackdown

Iran Focus: Tehran, Iran, Sep. 13 – Some 205...

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you