Bahai news: UN resolution sharply critical of Iran for continuing human rights violations

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UN resolution sharply critical of Iran for continuing human rights 
violations

UNITED NATIONS, 18 November (BWNS) - A committee of the UN General 
Assembly today sharply criticized Iran for its continued and 
increasing violations of human rights.

By a vote of 80 to 44, the Assembly's Third Committee approved a 
resolution that "expresses deep concern at serious ongoing and 
recurring human rights violations" in Iran. There were 57 abstentions.

The vote came after Iran attempted a "no-action motion," aimed at 
blocking the resolution by calling for adjournment of the debate. The 
motion failed by a vote of 51 in favor to 91 against, with 32 
abstentions.

In its specifics, the resolution takes note of recent reports of 
Iran's continued use of torture, an intensified crackdown on human 
rights defenders, "pervasive gender inequality and violence against 
women," and discrimination against minorities, including members of 
the Baha'i Faith.

"The wording of the resolution, which is the 23rd such condemnation 
of Iran since 1985, leaves no doubt that the world remains deeply 
concerned with Iran's continued human rights violations," said Bani 
Dugal, the principal representative of the Baha'i International 
Community to the United Nations.

The five-page document echoes concerns expressed by UN Secretary 
General Ban Ki-moon, who issued a report in October that criticized 
Iran's use of torture and the death penalty, its poor treatment of 
women, and repeated violations of due process of law, as well as its 
failure to protect the rights of minorities, such as the Baha'i, 
Sufi, Baluch and Kurdish communities.

The resolution also calls on Iran to cooperate with international 
human rights monitors and to allow them into the country.

"The Baha'i International Community strongly welcomes this 
resolution, not only for its clear-sighted view of what is happening 
in Iran but also for its call for increased monitoring," said Ms. 
Dugal. "As the resolution notes, it has been more than five years 
since Iran allowed UN officials into the country to investigate 
reports of human rights violations - something that is clearly 
unacceptable, especially for a country that claims to the world that 
it has nothing to hide."

Put forward by 42 co-sponsors, the resolution's passage today by the 
Third Committee virtually assures final approval by the General 
Assembly Plenary in December.

The resolution devoted an entire paragraph to Iran's treatment of 
members of the Baha'i Faith, cataloging an extensive list of recent 
incidents and attacks on Baha'is. 

In particular, it noted "increasing evidence of efforts by the State 
to identify, monitor and arbitrarily detain Baha'is, preventing 
members of the Baha'i faith from attending university and from 
sustaining themselves economically, the confiscation and destruction 
of their property,” and “the vandalizing of their cemeteries.” It 
also expressed concern over the recent trial and sentencing of seven 
Baha'i leaders, saying they were "repeatedly denied the due process 
of law."


To read the article online, go to:
http://news.bahai.org/story/798