UN General Assembly adopted resolution of alleged “human rights violations in Iran, including torture, the use of cruel punishments such as flogging and amputations and ‘pervasive gender inequality and violence against women,’ and called on Tehran to strengthen its national human rights institutions.” (From UN News Center) The Resolution adopted also addressed Iran’s “serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations,” including a dramatic increase in the use of the death penalty, particularly for crimes “lacking a precise and explicit definition.” The Resolution also voiced concern regarding “ongoing, systemic, and serious restrictions” of freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of opinion and expression. (Read: - “UN Human Rights Committee Critical of Iran” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/un-human-rights-committee-critical-of-iran-by-ambassador-mo/40151 Death Penalty as Focus of Criticism: The death penalty drew special attention in the wording of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution: “the absence of internationally recognized safeguards,” the continued practice of public executions, the carrying out of secret group executions and the imposition of capital punishment against minors. The practice of suspension strangulation as a method of execution, and the fact that prisoners continue to face sentences of execution by stoning, even though there has been a national directive against it also drew specific condemnation. (Read: “Teenager’s Execution in Iran-US Executes Troy Davis” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/teenagers-execution-in-iran-us-executes-troy-davis-despite-un-call-by-ambassador-mo/35342) Arbitrary & Abusive Detention: In the resolution, Member States also called on the Iranian Government to immediately and unconditionally release any prisoners who have been arbitrarily arrested and detained “for simply exercising their right to peaceful assembly and participating in peaceful protests.” They also strongly encouraged Iran to discontinue the “systemic targeting” of human rights defenders and review the country’s “pervasive gender inequality.” Minority & Women’s Rights: The Resolution text also noted UNSG Ban Ki-moon’s report highlighting the deteriorating rights situation in the country as well as the concern expressed by Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, over the alleged targeting of minority groups by the Government. Arabs, Azeris, Baluchis and Kurds and their defenders have all faced rights violations that at times amount to persecution, according to the resolution, with religious minorities such as Christians, Jews, Sufis, Sunni Muslims, Zoroastrians and Bahá’ís. (READ –Iran’s Judiciary/Legal Code Contravenes International Commitments” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/irans-judiciarylegal-code-contravenes-international-commitments-un-by-ambassador-mo/36607 ). The Resolution also expressed dismay over Iran’s Government failure to launch an investigation into the suspected electoral violations after the 2009 presidential vote and strongly urged the Government “to ensure free, fair, transparent and inclusive parliamentary elections in 2012 that reflect the will of the people.” Member States through the Resolution further called on Iran to consider ratifying or acceding to the international human rights treaties to which it is not already party while effectively implementing those human rights treaties which it has already ratified. The Resolution received 89 votes in favor and 30 votes against. Sixty-four countries abstained. Top Photo -(UN) - Secretary-General Meets Head of Iranian Rights Council and Delegation Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre right) meets with Mohammad Javad Ardeshir Larijani (centre left), Senior Advisor to the Head of the Judiciary of Iran and Secretary General of Iran’s High Council for Human Rights, and his delegation, including Mohammad Khazaee (right), Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN - 21 November 2011. Bottom Photo - "Green Protesters" in Iran By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey

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