Delegation's Statement at General Assembly: Resolution on Status of Human Rights Council

The full text of the statement is as follows:

Statement by
Mr Ali Karimi Magham
Member of the Delegation of the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
During the General Assembly Meeting on the Draft Resolution on the Status of the Human Rights Council
6 July 2026, New York

In the Name of God, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

Mr Vice-President,

The Islamic Republic of Iran thanks the co-facilitators, Ireland and Senegal, for their tireless efforts in facilitating the negotiations on this important resolution towards its adoption by consensus.

Iran has constructively participated in the negotiations and joined the consensus based on its principled position that the Human Rights Council must discharge its mandate in strict conformity with the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity, and non-selectivity, as enshrined in resolution 60/251.

However, my delegation regrets that the Council continues to face persistent challenges of politicisation, selectivity, and double standards, which erode its legitimacy and credibility.

We have reservations regarding preambular paragraph 3 and the interlinking of peace and security with human rights, which is beyond the mandate of this resolution. We also have reservations regarding the reference to the financing of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms. Administrative and budgetary matters fall within the mandate of the Fifth Committee, as reaffirmed in preambular paragraph 5 of General Assembly resolution 65/281. The resolution should therefore avoid language that could be construed as prejudging discussions that properly belong within established budgetary processes. The rationale for singling out the Human Rights Council is not clear. We therefore consider this reference unnecessary and irrelevant to the purpose of the resolution.

In the same vein, we emphasise that the Human Rights Council should avoid duplication and repetition of its country-specific mandates, which are politically motivated.

The Islamic Republic of Iran remains prepared to engage constructively in the forthcoming review process, with a view to strengthening the multilateral human rights architecture on the basis of equity, balance, and genuine universality.

Thank you.