UN Resolution Condemning Human Rights Violations in Iran Approved
The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, December 17, approved a resolution on “severe and gross violations of human rights” in Iran.
The Canadian-proposed resolution was approved with 82 votes in favor, 30 votes against, and 64 abstentions.
Reports indicate that this resolution was presented with modifications compared to the resolution approved in the Third Committee.
The sixty-seventh resolution condemning human rights violations in Iran had previously been approved on November 19 of the current year in the UN’s Third Committee with 79 votes in favor, 32 votes against, and 64 abstentions.
With the approval of this resolution, Iran’s human rights file will remain open for another year.
The resolution expressed concern about the high number of death sentences and specifically considered the execution of criminals under 18 years old as a violation of Iran’s international obligations.
The resolution called on Iran to end torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishments and to halt systematic suppression, arbitrary arrests and detentions of opponents, including forced disappearances.
The approved UN General Assembly resolution further called on Iran to address the poor conditions in prisons and immediately release those who have been detained for supporting and defending women’s rights.
“Increasing pressure against religious minorities, including members of the Bahai community,” “violations of the rights of political prisoners, including their lack of access to lawyers,” and “extortion of forced confessions” in the Islamic Republic system are among other matters of concern mentioned in this resolution.
The resolution called on the Islamic Republic government to release all those whose detention is considered arbitrary under international law.
Iran’s representative also criticized the proposed resolution at this session, saying this resolution has nothing to do with “human rights.”
The Islamic Republic’s representative further stated that countries raising this resolution are themselves supporters of “racism, colonialism, and interventionism.”
China’s representative also criticized this resolution and the “double standard” regarding human rights, casting a negative vote.
The UN Secretary-General stated on October 15 of the current year in a report that “repeated and severe” violations of human rights in Iran were “a matter of serious concern.”
Source: Radio Farda
