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: “The Secretary-General’s Report on the Situation
of the Islamic Republic of Iran”
New York, 12 October 2021
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Mr. Chair,
The Islamic Republic of Iran totally rejects the mandate under which the report was presented on behalf of the Secretary-General. We believe that the mandate is derived from a politically motivated resolution sponsored by certain governments. The report, however, echoes an ill-advised mandate, fails to promote and protect human rights and deliberately shuts its eyes to ignores the realities on the ground about the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. They have pinned their hopes to unsubstantiated and unverifiable claims. It is repugnant to glorify terrorists whose hands are stained with the blood of innocent citizens.
Mr. Chair,
It is crystal clear that making use of unofficial, biased and vague sources coming from sworn enemies, and taking a selective approach towards human rights achievements in the Islamic Republic of Iran put a serious question mark over the validity and reliability of such a report. The report is replete with arbitrary judgments. They should be reminded – over and over – of the fact that they are strictly expected to “exercise their functions in accordance with their mandate, through a professional, impartial assessment of facts based on internationally recognized human rights standards, and free from any kind of extraneous influence, incitement, pressure, threat or interference.”
The report has left no stone unturned to undermine the Government’s efforts towards promotion and protection of human rights including health conditions of people during the COVID-19 pandemic and amid the United States’ illegal and inhuman unilateral coercive measures – a horrendous practice that is also followed by its allies. It is also regrettable that those who have prepared the report are hesitant to condemn or even express concerns about unlawful and inhumane unilateral coercive measures. Such measures have even hindered the Islamic Republic of Iran’s access to much-needed medicines.
Despite all the ill-wishes, malevolence and my Government’s rejection of the report’s mandate, the Islamic Republic of Iran has demonstrated its seriousness and honesty to engage in a respectful dialogue with those responsible for the preparation of the report. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has cooperated and interacted with the Office of the High Commissioner and left no paragraph of the draft report unattended. Unfortunately, most comments provided by the Islamic Republic of Iran about allegations contained in the draft report were disregarded in its final version.
Mr. Chair,
We place a premium on genuine and non-political concern about human rights, mutual respect and dialogue. It is an irrefutable fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran is committed to cooperating with all treaty bodies to which it is a party, as well as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is of the view that dialogue and cooperation based upon mutual respect and on an equal footing is the only way which guarantees promotion and protection of human rights at the international level. Such a mandate and report in question are only meant to weaponize human rights. We believe that such measures can only divert international human rights organizations from their basic goals, and further cast away human rights from their lofty objectives.
I thank you.