Forty civil society organizations, including Amnesty International (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the New York based Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) have signed a letter deploring violation of human rights by the Islamic Republic in Iran and urging UN member states to support human rights efforts in the country.
Meanwhile they have called upon UN General Assembly to support Canada’s resolution on human rights in Iran that is scheduled to be presented to the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly on November 14, 2018.
The resolution on the promotion and protection of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran was presented to the Third Committee in the framework of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly.
This annual resolution provides an opportunity for the General Assembly to review human rights violations in Iran over the last year and the many other human rights concerns that persist in the country, as reflected in reports issued by the UN Secretary-General and the Iran Special Rapporteur. The resolution also outlines how Iran should implement its national and international human rights obligations, AI said in a report late Monday, November 12.
“We echo the UN Secretary-General’s observation that this year has been marked by an intensified crackdown on protesters, journalists and social media users”, in the wake of the wave of protests that erupted across Iran in December 2017 and continued into 2018, the signatories have assert.
On October, 24, the new UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, Javaid Rehman said in his first report, "Mounting challenges in Iran should be met by a constructive response which places international human rights law at its heart.”
Presenting his first report to the General Assembly following his appointment in July, Javaid Rehman noted, “The challenges facing people in Iran these past months has been illustrated by numerous protests across the country"
The Special Rapporteur also said, "The protests were fueled by discontent relating to the enjoyment of economic and social rights" and urged “the Government to both address the grievances underlying the protests, and also safeguard the right to freedom of association and assembly”. “In challenging times, the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, and access to information are all the more important.” he added.
Tehran has repeatedly dismissed UN reports on human rights situation in Iran as "biased" and unfounded.
Iran’s Counsellor and Permanent Representative to the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly Mohammad Hassani-Nejad went even further by accusing United Nations of having double standards towards human rights.
Speaking at the meeting of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, October 16, Hassani-Nejad slammed the UN Secretary-General's report on human rights in Iran, saying "it once again revealed the inaccuracy and politicization of human rights processes in the United Nations."
He continued "the presentation of four similar reports annually on the situation of human rights in Iran reflects only selective approaches and dual standard policy of the organization; an approach that most of all undermines the credibility and integrity of UN human rights processes."
The Iranian diplomat said no country can claim that it is perfect regarding human rights, and Iran is no exception, while in Iran it is possible to amend laws and regulations to the point where it is not contrary to the social norms.
However, the signatories to the new letter addressed to UN, have listed a series of human rights violations across Iran.
"Violence and discrimination, in law and practice, against individuals on the basis of gender, religion, belief, ethnicity, language, political opinion, sexual orientation and gender identity, among other grounds that are universally recognized as impermissible under international law, also remain widespread and continue to be sanctioned by laws, policies and government practices" the signatories have stressed.
The signatories have concluded, "The continued attention of the international community is required to ensure Iran upholds its international human rights obligations. By supporting resolution A/C.3/73/L.42, the UN General Assembly will send a strong signal to the Iranian authorities that the promotion and respect of human rights is a priority, and that genuine and tangible improvements to the situation are expected to ensure the dignity inherent to all persons in Iran."