Statement by the Representative of the
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 Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
New York, 24 October 2023
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Mr. Chair,
First and foremost, my delegation categorically rejects all country-specific mandates related to the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the relevant Special Rapporteur and the fact-finding mission. In such cases, the principled neutrality is compromised in favor of political opportunism.
Iran maintains that Javid Rehman failed to discharge his duty in accordance with the Human Rights Council's resolutions 5/1[1] and 5/2[2] which highlight adherence to the principles of cooperation, dialogue, non-politicization as well as impartiality and objectivity in addressing human rights issues.
The methodology employed in preparing and drafting the report falls short of meeting the standards requisite for such a mandate. In his analysis of the human rights situation in Iran, the Special Rapporteur departs from the principles of fairness and balance.
Throughout his report, the Special Rapporteur has described the Iranian Constitution as considerably limited; our legal frameworks such as the Penal Code as loosely and vaguely defined; and Iranian presidential and parliamentary elections as exclusionary processes. With that, there is no choice but to acknowledge that this mandate-holder is clearly violating the sovereign rights of my country and non-interference in the internal affairs as stipulated in the Charter of the UN and International law.
In several issues, despite multiple clarifications, the Special Rapporteur continues to present false narratives that do not correspond to reality. In particular, we would like to draw attention to the following:
- In the case of the death of my dear sister Mahsa Amini and the poisoning of school girls, we wish to highlight that the circumstances and cause of Mahsa Amini’s demise have been extensively covered in numerous reports. But he insists on disregarding the national reports published and follows the path prescribed by the UK, those to whom he`s appointed. He also neglects the specialized mechanisms established and dedicated to conducting detailed and impartial investigations on the issues that published and circulated respective reports in NY and Geneve.
- To mislead and paint a black picture of the situation of religious and ethnic groups in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Special Rapporteur spreads systematic disinformation throughout his report repeating his baseless accusations like a scratched CD. For those looking for the truth, we should clarify that Iran is a multi-ethnic, multilingual, and multi-cultural country. The Iranian Constitution deems justice as one of the most fundamental rights of individuals, regardless of the distinction of any kind. Our legal system adheres to the principles of “equality of individuals before the law” and “prohibition of discrimination between individuals”. Individuals cannot be granted rights and privileges by establishing artificial categories that distinguish them from their responsibilities before the law. The spirit of justice should be questioned if a country or mandate-holder agrees to discriminately implement the law. We do not concur with this inaccurate perception. Civil and criminal proceedings should adhere to the principle of fair trial to ensure that everyone is treated equally.
- On the death penalty and the law on hijab it is worth mentioning that it`s the prerogative and sovereign right of each member state to develop its own legal system. In this regard, in Iran, any laws, including the law on Hijab, are passed through a thorough process that considers the Islamic values, cultural background, legal context, as well as the reality, needs, and demands of the citizens. Also, on legal penalties, it should be highlighted that my government proactively continues to take necessary measures to minimize the recourse to the death penalty and to reserve it only for the most serious crimes as stipulated in the ICCPR. Therefore, its identification with illegal measures such as arbitrary deprivation of life is absolutely incorrect. In addition, the death penalty is applied in full compliance with the standards of a fair trial from the investigation stage to the issuance of the initial verdict and then the final verdict with full transparency.
- The report contains contradictory references to the adverse impacts of Unilateral Coercive Measures against Iranians. The Special Rapporteur expresses his concern over the impact of economic sanctions resulting in humanitarian challenges and human rights violations; however, he nevertheless in the final part recommends the international community to continue applying sanctions. The whole thing is a mockery.
- Regarding the 2022 unrest in Iran, this must be clarified that the policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran vis-à-vis the riots, even the rioters, was to use the minimal legal powers of law enforcement forces. That is why the law enforcement officers themselves suffered the most damage. Nevertheless, in the wake of the recent amnesty granted by the Supreme Leader of Iran, nearly all of the accused and convicts, both those in custody and those released on bail, were granted pardons, except those involved in acts of terrorism or murder. In addition, it ought to be made known that according to our President’s decree, a Special Committee was accordingly formed “to conduct a detailed and impartial investigation and compensate for any possible violation of citizens’ rights”. The Special Committee has inaugurated a website, accessible via specialcommittee.ir with the noble intent of expediting access for our esteemed citizens. This digital portal affords individuals the privilege of registering their grievances or submitting reports to the Special Committee with utmost ease.
Despite the Special Rapporteur's blatant denial of all facts, Iran was determined to implement the policy of interaction with him in order to improve the content of his reports and minimize hasty judgments and baseless allegations but unfortunately, he did not show the slightest desire to reflect Iran’s comments and positions. Meanwhile, he strengthens his ties of unity with the UK and other Western allies who spread disinformation, promote hatred, and incite violence to destabilize Iranian society. It`s imperative to mention that in his misuse of such a mandate, he harms the credibility of the Human Rights Council and the GA by reporting to non-UN events and gatherings (The meeting he attended in Norway last month, for example).
Mr. Chair,
Multilateralism should not be the victim of the narrow political interest of specific countries who as a matter of fact, stand brazenly on the dark side of history and defend the oppression of the notorious occupying regime and its right to legitimate defense against the defenseless Palestinian people in Gaza. There is no doubt that the claims they assert lack credibility and are firmly contested by those seeking justice and truth. Those who blame Iran here, praise the notorious Israeli regime elsewhere. In the end, we leave it up to you to decide whether to believe their contradictory statements or not.
Mr. Chair,
We do not intend to repeat what we have pointed out in previous days here in this Committee. Thanks to technology's genericity, a simple Google search will reveal their indefensible history and their recent conduct of violations of human rights on their territory. Search the UPR website and database, or just the news and media outlets, depending on what you are looking for, but the answer remains the same: "No country is perfect, no one can claim to be flawless, and there is always room for improvement."
Among those many, I would like to mention the most recent violation of human rights here in the United States: a 6-year-old Muslim boy was stabbed several times to death by an American due to the smear campaign these countries are waging. It`s heartbreaking but we have no choice but to learn from the past and awaken those whose political and economic interests dominate everything they do. Here, we name and shame. There is a dark legacy left by the Third Committee: Canada, the US, the UK, France, Germany, and their allies should be named and shamed.
If the ultimate goal is tied to their own self-serving interests, anything is doomed to fail. The cause of human rights is mutilated by them. Multilateralism, dialogue, and cooperation are destined to be eliminated from this August's body. In conclusion,
Mr. Chair,
The Islamic Republic of Iran has always adhered to its obligations regarding promoting and protecting human rights. The positive achievements of Iran in this field over the past four decades affirm the Country’s determination in this regard. A report containing the “Human Rights Developments and Achievements in the Islamic Republic of Iran for 2023” has been sent to the Member States. Our commitment to human rights is enshrined in our Constitution, domestic laws, and international obligations. Protecting and promoting human rights is the government’s exclusive responsibility. We stand ready to engage constructively with the OHCHR and relevant non-discriminatory mechanisms such as the UPR to address any valid concerns.
We call upon the Special Rapporteur to approach their mandate with transparency, and impartiality, and to move beyond an approach rooted in mistrust and instead exercise due diligence in crafting the report.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
[1] - The institution-building of the Human Rights Council
[2] -The code of conduct for special procedures mandate holders of the Human Rights Council