UN passes resolution condemning Iran’s human rights record

The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly approved a resolution on Thursday, condemning Iran’s human rights record, with 83 votes against 30 while 68 countries abstained.

The resolution is due to be voted next December at the UN General Assembly.

The resolution relied on the reports on the human rights situation in Iran presented by both the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, Javid Rehman, and Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General.”

“The reports of the UN Secretary-General and his Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran indicate that the human rights situation in Iran has worsened since last year and the systematic repression of demonstrators, journalists and users of social networks has increased,” it said.

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The resolution also pointed out that the Iranian government does not comply with international standards and norms, where reports indicate that “torture of prisoners, arbitrary arrests, unfair trials, threats of human rights activists and restrictions on freedom of expression continue.”

Canadian Foreign Minister Christa Freeland, whose country adopted the draft resolution said: “The ratification of this resolution by the various countries of the world sends a strong message to the Iranian government, which must respect human rights.”

The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, Javid Rehman, had presented his report to the Third Committee in New York on October 24.

Rehman said in a speech during the presentation of the report that Iran has witnessed a wave of protests and strikes due to the deterioration of economic and living conditions and that these protests were suppressed by the authorities.

Rehman requested the Iranian government to allow him to visit the country to conduct an assessment of the human rights situation through interviews with citizens and to provide information, particularly with regard to international human rights organizations’ reports on violations, pertaining to executions, torture, suppression of freedom of assembly, opinion and expression, violations of the rights of women and girls and denying religious and ethnic minorities their basic rights.