UN General Assembly Approves Resolution Condemning Human Rights Violations in Iran
A resolution condemning “severe and systematic human rights violations” in Iran was approved on Wednesday, November 19, in the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly.
The sixty-seventh resolution condemning human rights violations in Iran passed with 79 votes in favor, 32 votes against, and 64 abstentions.
The resolution was submitted at the proposal of Canada and with the support of several countries including the United States, Britain, Germany, and France.
The resolution expressed concern regarding “the increase in death sentences, particularly executions of political prisoners,” “imposition of capital punishment against minors,” “increasing pressure against religious minorities including members of the Bahai community,” “violations of the rights of political prisoners including denial of access to lawyers,” and “coerced confessions” in the Islamic Republic system.
The resolution called upon the Islamic Republic government to release all individuals whose detention is considered arbitrary under international law.
The resolution also called on the Islamic Republic to end harassment and discrimination against opponents and minorities, arbitrary detention, torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading conduct, or punishment of peaceful protests and political prisoners.
Canada’s Foreign Ministry also announced after the resolution’s approval that it remains committed to defending human rights and will continue cooperation with the international community to hold the Islamic Republic accountable for its actions.
Jason Mack, economic and social affairs counselor at the US Mission to the United Nations, also expressed concern regarding the continuing human rights violations in Iran in his remarks.
This US Mission official stressed that government institutions, including the judiciary and the Revolutionary Court, continue to commit widespread human rights violations and harassment of the Iranian people and remain unaccountable. The resolution highlights some of the severe abuses reported, such as detention of political prisoners, use of force against peaceful protests, and torture.
Jason Mack emphasized in another part of his statement: “The UN Special Rapporteur on Iran in his March report referred to the Islamic Republic government’s widespread use of arbitrary detention as a systematic problem that constitutes serious violations of international law.”
This US Mission official further expressed concern regarding political prisoners’ lack of access to medical care and medical leave.
Jason Mack stated: “The United States, like the UN Special Rapporteurs, is concerned about the continued repression of religious minorities. Gonabadi Dervishes, Bahais, and Christian converts face severe mistreatment, including heavy prison sentences, because of their beliefs.”
The UN Secretary-General also stated in a report submitted in October of this year that “repeated and severe” violations of human rights in Iran are “a matter of serious concern.”
Over the past two months, particularly following the sudden execution of Navid Afkari, Iran’s wrestling champion, the state of human rights in Iran has received increasing international attention and has been repeatedly highlighted to Islamic Republic officials.
Source: Radio Farda
