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 78th Session of the General Assembly
On Agenda Item 71: “Promotion and Protection of Human Rights”
Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights
New York, 10 October 2023
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In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Mr. Chair,
At the outset, I thank Mr. high Commissioner for his engagement with the committee.
Steadfast in advancing human rights, Iran has always interacted and cooperated with the relevant international mechanisms, such as the UPR and the OHCHR. Providing comments on more than 60 percent of the correspondences sent by the Special Procedures Mandate-Holders since 2006, bears witness to the will of Iran to continue such collaborations and interactions.
Iran believes that further consideration of human rights issues should take into account the fundamental principles of universality, transparency, impartiality, non-selectivity, non-politicization and objectivity. Equal attention and urgent consideration should be given to the promotion and protection of all human rights, in particular, the right to development.
We are deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in the US, UK, Canada, EU Member States, and the occupied Palestinian territories. In particular, we condemn the continued plight of women and girls, religious minorities, people of African descent, indigenous peoples in these territories.
My delegation is dismayed that the report of High Commissioner, did not devote any consideration to the negative impacts of UCMs on the human rights of people in the targeted countries. In contrast, unfortunately, the report addresses non-consensus-based language and elements that lack international agreements[1].
Iran reaffirms the sovereign right of all countries to develop their own legal systems, including determining appropriate legal penalties, in accordance with their international law obligations while conducting the process of fair trial. While many countries around the world still use the death penalty, singling out specific countries in the report runs counter to the Office's obligation to act on the basis of impartiality and selectivity.
Moreover, the report has provided support to independent investigative mechanisms established by the HRC, including in the case of Iran. I would like to take this opportunity to strongly condemn and categorically reject any politically based mechanisms, including the so-called Special Rapporteur and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, which encourage a confrontational approach rather than cooperation.
With regard to the systematic and widespread desecration of Islamic sanctities particularly recent burning of the holy Quran in some European countries, we expect the OHCHR to prioritize the issue of discrimination against Muslims and Islamophobia in its agenda.
Mr. Chair,
Next year marks the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family. Could the High Commissioner elaborate on his office's activities regarding family issues and the protection of the family?
I thank you.
[1]- Sexual orientation, gender identity and sex characteristics