Jun 11, 2010

Iran Criticised For Rejecting Key Recommendations At Adoption Of UPR Report


At the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Universal Periodic Review at the 14th session of the Human Rights Council yesterday [10 June 2010], states highlighted the lack of justification for Iran’s failure to address the violence and suppression inflicted on peaceful demonstrators in the aftermath of the elections last year [2009].
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Iran Criticised For Rejecting Key Recommendations At Adoption Of UPR Report
Geneva, 11 June 2010
In the consideration of the outcome of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Universal Periodic Review at the 14th session of the Human Rights Council yesterday [10 June 2010], states highlighted the lack of justification for Iran’s rejection of key recommendations, particularly their failure to address the violence and suppression inflicted on peaceful demonstrators in the aftermath of the elections last year [2009].
UNPO was in the Palais de Nations to report on the proceedings and the twitter updates can be viewed here.
Iran accepted of 123 out of 188 recommendations and many states and NGOs were vocal in their criticism of the 45 which were rejected. The US expressed concern about the lack of progress since Iran’s last review, highlighting that the violent response to last years protests was not mentioned in Iran's report and was dismayed by the rejection of recommendations to end discrimination particularly in light of systematic government violations of religious freedom. The UK stressed that there was “no reason” for Iran to reject recommendations for investigation into allegations of abuse and noted discriminatory practice against minorities in spheres of education and employment.
UN Special Procedures, particularly the invitation of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, were high on the agenda of interventions by both states and NGOs. The delegation of Norway said it "cannot accept the rejection to accept the Special Rapporteur on torture to visit the country" and was joined by other states who noted that there have been no visits by Special Rapporteurs and other mandate holders in Iran since 2006.
Meanwhile some states praised Iran as China claimed there was “Cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue” in Iran, Cuba noted access to primary and healthcare services and Venezuela and Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea criticized foreign pressure.
As NGOs and civil society were invited to speak, Baha’i International condemned Iran’s refusal to accept recommendations to put an end to persecution and discrimination of Baha’i and is concerned by Iran's insistence of a “partial reading” of freedom of religion. The Democracy Coalition Project and CIVICUS - World Alliance for Citizen Participation noted the 9 secret executions of political prisoners which have taken place in Iran in the past 7 months, as Amnesty International condemned executions for politically motivated reasons. Human Rights Watch suggested that Iran had misled the Council about conducting transparent investigation into treatment of demonstrators which in reality are conducted “behind closed doors” and some demonstrators remain at imminent risk of execution.
In a joint statement, Dr Charles Graves explained how the death penalty disproportionately affects religious minorities and urged Iran to allow minority groups to exercise their rights free from discrimination and persecution, particularly noting the importance of freedom of expression, freedom of the media and freedom of association.
When given the opportunity to reply, the secretary general of Iran's High Council for Human Rights Mohammad Javad Larijani accused the US of “ill-founded claims” under "a barrage" of accusations. He began to criticise the US for their own human rights record before being interrupted by the Chairman who asked to return to the topic at hand. The delegation went on to explain that invitations to UN Special Rapporteurs are standing and preparations are in place.
Baban Eliassi, Representative from the Committee for support of Kurdish political prisoners in Iranian Kurdistan who was in Geneva for the UPR said “ There is no insurance that the Iranian regime will implement the accepted recommendations” and expressed particular concern about women’s rights, executions and arbitrary detentions and torture.
Earlier this week, Iran also dominated discussion under Item 4 of the agenda of the 14th session of the Human Rights Council on the “debate on human rights situations which require the Council’s attention.” The violent suppression of peaceful protesters after last years election was brought up by Spain on behalf of the European Union, as well as by states including France, the UK, The Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Israel, Canada and the US.  Norway also called on the Government to honour its obligations to allow freedom of speech, association and assembly and Japan expressed concern about restrictions on rights in Iran, including on the mass media. This demonstrates the widespread concern and urgency regarding the worsening human rights situation in Iran.
Having followed the UPR for Iran from the outset, UNPO has been campaigning for the recognition of rights of ethnic minorities particularly the Baloch Ahwazi-Arabs, Kurds and Azerbaijani Turks who are excluded from decisions which affect them; regularly encounter discrimination in economic and social sectors as well as a disproportionate vulnerability to human rights abuses. UNPO is dismayed by the Iranian delegation’s rejection of recommendations to adopt measures to end discrimination and harassment against persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities and urges states to continue to highlight these issues at UN Forums and encourage engagement of UN special procedures. Iran’s stated commitment to hosting Special Rapporteurs must be pursued.