UN General Assembly Approves Resolution Condemning Human Rights Violations by Iran
The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, December 19, approved a resolution protesting human rights violations in the Islamic Republic, which was proposed by Canada, with 81 votes in favor, 30 votes against, and 70 abstentions.
Hassan Nayeb Hashem, a human rights activist, wrote on his Twitter page that this resolution was approved “by a very high margin” in the plenary session of the UN General Assembly.
Some Iranian news agencies have also published similar reports.
According to these reports, the resolution was proposed by Canada and Syria’s representative to the United Nations objected to it.
In the draft of this resolution, clauses expressing concern about the human rights situation in North Korea, Syria, and the Crimean Peninsula were also included, all of which were approved.
Meanwhile, according to the FARS News Agency, Mohammad Hasannezad Pirkouhi, Second Secretary of Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, criticized the approval of resolutions against North Korea and Syria.
Also, according to the IRIB News Agency, Iran’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations issued a statement addressing the Secretary-General of the organization, calling Canada’s move to propose a resolution against the Islamic Republic “regrettable” and stating that this country is “eager for this biased resolution without regard to Iran’s repeated requests for respectful dialogue.”
On the other hand, the Twitter page of “Canada’s Foreign Policy” announced that following the UN General Assembly’s vote on Canada’s proposed resolution, Canada will continue to pursue support for human rights in Iran.
The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly also approved a resolution on November 14 with 83 votes in favor and 30 votes against, which criticized the continuation of violations of freedom for religious and ethnic minorities and systematic state discrimination against minorities in Iran.
In the committee’s resolution, concerns were expressed about the high rate of executions, poor prison conditions, torture, and arbitrary arrests in Iran.
Bahram Qasemi, spokesman for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, considered that resolution “rejected,” “discredited,” and “political” at the time.
Also, in September this year, Asma Jahangir, the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, stated in her first report that no particular improvement has been made in Iran’s human rights record, and restrictions on freedom of expression and discrimination against women and religious minorities in the country continue.
This report at the time was met with denial and strong reactions from Islamic Republic officials, but Ms. Jahangir stated in an interview with Radio Farda that Tehran has not been able to raise any documented objections to her report.
Source: Radio Farda
