Statement by

Mr. Ali Karimi Magham

Political Attaché

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Before the Third Committee, UNGA 76

On Item 74: Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

The Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues

New York, 21 October 2021

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

Mr. Chair,

I would like to first of all reject the United States’ unsubstantiated and threadbare accusations. Iran has a multi-ethnic society with ancient cultural and religious fusion. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran emphasizes the high position of ethnicities and their effective position in decision making in judicial, legislative and executive bodies.

All people of Iran, whatever the ethnic group or tribe to which they belong, enjoy equal rights. Colour, race, language and the like, do not bestow any privilege whatsoever. The promotion and protection of the rights of ethnicities are of so much importance that the President has recently appointed an advisor to administer ethnic and religious minorities’ affairs. To ensure that religious minorities’ voices are also heard, several seats of the Parliament are allocated to their representatives.

Unfortunately, the West chooses silence when it comes to horrific violations of the rights of Muslim minorities in certain European countries and the United States. Asian Americans and people of African descent are attacked almost on a daily basis in the United States. The U.S. police have even taken a step forward and strangle African Americans in broad daylight. The U.S. and its allies pretend to have sympathy towards a group of people in my country who enjoy equal rights as others. They own different factories and manage their businesses without let or hindrance.

I thank you.