BBC: The UN General Assembly has censured Iran for human rights violations, in a relatively close vote. By 71 votes to 54, with 55 abstentions, the assembly on Monday said Tehran restricted free speech, used torture, and persecuted dissenters. The resolution is not legally binding but is an expression of world opinion. Meanwhile, Amnesty International says it fears an Iranian woman convicted of adultery may be buried up to her chest and stoned to death on Tuesday.
UN chides Iran over human rights
Iran Readies Uranium for Nuke Enrichment –Diplomats
Reuters: Iran will continue preparing raw “yellowcake” uranium for enrichment, a process that can be used to make nuclear weapons, until the end of February, despite a recent pledge to freeze all such activity, diplomats said. “The Iranians have decided to continue UF4 (uranium tetrafluoride) production
until the end of February,” a diplomat told Reuters. Two other diplomats in Vienna, where the U.N.’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is based, confirmed the report.
Thousands of Bam earthquake victims still need help: Red Cross
AFP: A year after an earthquake killed 31,000 people in the southern Iranian city of Bam, thousands still need psychological help, the International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies said Monday. The impact of the quake continues to manifest itself through “sleeping disorders, the inability to complete routine tasks, explosive behavior, domestic violence and a dramatic increase in drug dependence,” said the IFRC.
Norwegian protest to Iran
The Norway Post: Norwegian Foreign Minister Jan Petersen has condemned the planned execution of the mentally retarded 19 year-old Leila M in Iran. Among other things, the girl has been accused of prostitution. Norway has sent a formal protest to Iran about the matter. A representative from the Iranian embassy in Oslo was on Monday summoned to the Foreign Office to receive the Norwegian protest.
U.N. condemns Iranian rights violations
United Press International: The U.N. General Assembly Monday expressed concern at continuing human rights violations in Iran on the reported eve of an execution by stoning. Non-governmental organizations said it was the 52nd time a body of the world organization condemned Tehran’s human rights record.
Ex-enemy Iran may be biggest winner in Iraqi poll
Daily Telegraph: Iraqi officials fear that the big winner from next month’s historic election will be its powerful neighbour and former enemy, Iran. The countries share a 1,000-mile border, stretching from the flat desert wastes and marshes of the
south to the stark mountains of the north.
U.N. denounces Iran abuses
Reuters: The U.N. General Assembly has criticised Iran for public executions, torture, arbitrary sentencing, flogging, stoning and systematic discrimination against women. Sponsored by Canada, the human rights resolution was adopted on Monday by a vote of 71 in favour, 54 against with
55 abstentions in the 191-member assembly.
Iran Focus: Bush renews warning to Iran, Syria against ‘meddling’ in Iraq
AFP: President George W. Bush on Monday cautioned Iran and Syria not to interfere in Iraq’s internal politics, saying the United States had a variety of ways to retaliate if the two countries failed to heed his warning. The message is the second within
a week from the US president to Tehran and Damascus to refrain from “meddling” in Iraq.
Iran: One day left to save woman sentenced to be buried up to chest and stoned to death
Amnesty International: An Iranian woman charged with adultery faces death by stoning, reportedly by tomorrow (21 Dec) after her death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court last month. Her unnamed co-defendant is at risk of imminent execution by hanging. Amnesty International members are now faxing urgent appeals to the Iranian authorities, calling for the execution to be stopped. According to reports, Hajieh Esmailvand was sentenced to five years imprisonment, to be followed by execution by stoning, for adultery with an unnamed man who at the time was a 17 year old minor.
