Statement by
Ms. Fatemeh Arab Bafrani
Second Secretary
Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
Before the Third Committee of the 77th Session of the General Assembly
Under agenda item 66 (a, b) Racism, and 67 self-determination
General discussion on the racial discrimination and self-determination
New York, 31 October 2022
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Mr. Chair,
Apartheid, racism, foreign occupation, Islamophobia, and racial discrimination continue to be grave concerns. The world is witnessing the intensification of settlers' violence, and their disproportionate use of force leading to the death of hundreds of Palestinians, including children, the elderly, journalists, and medical workers each day which continue unabated and with no accountability. The Israeli regime commits its atrocities in full view of the international community, knowing well that it will not face any consequences. Consequently, we vehemently condemn any act that supports the occupation of Palestine and urge the international community to take serious action in order to end the occupation and to secure the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and an independent State of Palestine.
There is also a double standard being applied by the US and some western countries to people of African descent around the world in this regard, which includes, among others, systematic racism in the areas of law enforcement and criminal justice, as well as widespread instances of use of force and other violations of human rights against peaceful demonstrators defending the rights of Africans and of people of African descent.
As well, we are deeply concerned about the ever-increasing and intensifying trend of Islamophobia and defamation of religions which are under the banner of freedom of expression. Islamophobia has emerged as a distinct form of racism that includes, among others, discriminatory travel bans, hate speech, and targeted attacks on Muslim women and girls. Despite the unanimous adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution 76/254 on combating Islamophobia and designation of 15 March as the International day to combat Islamophobia, this flame continues to spread with every passing day. No doubt, continued acts of inhuman discrimination and acts of hostility and violence against Muslims constitute grave violations of their human rights, including their right to freedom of religion.
Mr. Chair,
The US illegal and inhumane unilateral coercive measures have resulted in discrimination against the innocent population of the targeted countries, on the basis of their nationality, national origin or place of residence. We reiterate that elimination of Unilateral Coercive Measures and its negative impact on the enjoyment of human rights can pave the way to realization of a world devoid of racial discrimination and racism. Like any other violation of the prohibition of discrimination, this situation should be attentively addressed by all the UN human rights mechanisms, particularly those dealing with racism and racial discrimination.
Mr. Chair, while addressing the systemic and systematic racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and intolerance, genocide, colonialism, Islamophobia, and hate speech, our attention is immediately drawn to the deeply concerning and long-lasting human rights violations emanating from the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and the European Union, in this regard. Rather than shielding themselves from accountability, these states should enact effective legal, policy, and institutional measures, accept the realities, and confront their human rights concerns responsibly.
I thank you