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 the Situation of Human Rights in Eritrea

New York, 25 October 2021

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

Mr. Chair,

The Islamic Republic of Iran reaffirms its principled position against selective mandates which do not contribute to the atmosphere of cooperation and dialogue that are so essential and necessary for the work of the third committee.

The underlying principle of the UN human rights architecture is that all Member States have the primary responsibility for promotion and protection of rights of their citizens in accordance with their international obligations. External interference through country-specific resolutions and mandates are proven to be counter-productive.

We welcome the continued engagement of Eritrea with relevant UN human rights mechanisms in seeking further assistance to promote and protect human rights. It is essential that every effort be accompanied by the involvement of the country in question. In that sense, the Universal Periodic Review is the ideal mechanism to analyze the human rights situation in all countries on an equal footing.

I thank you.