Iran Focus
London, 19 Nov – Iran has been condemned by the 3rd committee of the United Nations General Assembly for its blatant human rights violations. Thursday’s condemnation marks the 65th time that Iran has been called out for its human rights record at the international level.
A draft resolution, which was introduced by Canada was adopted by the committee following a vote of 85 to 30. However, 68 countries abstained from voting. There will be a general vote at the UNGA in December.
The resolution warns against the “alarmingly high frequency” of the use of the death penalty — especially against minors, as well as “the widespread and systematic use of arbitrary detention,” poor prison conditions “deliberately denying prisoners access to adequate medical treatment,” and “cases of suspicious deaths in custody.”
Iran does not adhere to international judiciary and human rights norms, stressed the resolution.
Last year a similar resolution gained 81 positive votes to 30 negatives. Four additional states joined other countries who are vocal about their discontent about the human rights situation in Iran.
Iran also lost several traditional United Nations allies. In fact, Brazil and Mexico, in what is believed to be an attempt to distance themselves from the government in Tehran, abstained from the vote this year.
Javaid Rahman, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights situation in Iran, presented his report on Iran’s human rights situation to the UN in September. He wrote that he was concerned about continued human rights abuses by Iran. The resolution adopted on Thursday is in reference to Rahman’s report, which has caused worries for the rulers of Iran.
In his yearly report, UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutierrez discussed his ongoing concern regarding the human rights situation in Iran. The government was angered by Guttierrez’s remarks, and used propaganda to attack the UN authority.
Bahram Ghassemi, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, called Thursday’s resolution unacceptable. He said that the Islamic Republic is based on “republicanism” and is against “any kind of discrimination or politicization of human rights,” but did not address any of the issues raised by the resolution.
Welcoming the UNGA’s draft resolution in condemnation of the Iranian government ’s human rights violations, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, NCRI president said, “Condemning the systematic and gross violations of human rights by the theocratic system ruling Iran, the UN resolution once again confirmed that the government blatantly tramples upon the Iranian people’s most fundamental rights in all political, social and economic spheres.”
The NCRI pointed out in a statement, other areas that need to be addressed, including “systematically assassinating opponents abroad, and depriving the people of Iran of their rights to decide their country’s fate, to enjoy the rule of law, to have access to fair trials, to have free access to information, and to form independent syndicates and unions for workers, students and government employees.”
