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 77th Session of the General Assembly
On Agenda Item 68: “Promotion and Protection of Human Rights”
Interactive Dialogue with the Assistant Secretary-General
Report on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
New York, 13 October 2022
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Mr. Chair,
I thank madam ASG for the briefing.
Iran believes that the main role of the Secretary-General is to maintain the independence and credibility of the UN as well as advocate for strengthening multilateralism.
Giving the Secretary-General a mandate to report on the situation of human rights in a country such as the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has always adhered to its obligations to promote and protect the human rights of its citizens is categorically unjustified and non-productive. We believe the principles of professionalism, fairness, prevailing justice, non-discrimination, and avoiding politicization should be duly respected especially in drafting the UN reports.
The Islamic Republic of Iran considers parallel reporting mechanisms, for example by the Secretary-General and the Special Rapporteur unnecessary and unconstructive towards the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Unfortunately, the comments and modifications presented by Iran to respond to the baseless allegations raised in the report regarding the issues like the human rights of women, freedom of expression and death penalty were totally ignored.
Furthermore, positive developments and achievements of the “situation of human rights” in any country include both positive and negative dimensions which should be incorporated fully in the report. Iran regrets that the country`s achievements are not reflected in the report.
The violation of the human and fundamental rights of the Iranian people by the illegal, oppressive and cruel sanctions imposed by the US is a fact that the report fails to describe. The report also does not mention the responsibility of the orchestrators and perpetrators of unlawful unilateral sanctions. The Secretary-General of the United Nations was expected to condemn the imposition of unilateral coercive measures, and call for the lifting of all such sanctions.
To conclude, Iran as an advocate of multilateralism is committed to the UPR, extends its hands for cooperation with the OHCHR, and has constructive engagement with the human rights treaty body mechanisms. Iran continues to call for dialogue based on understanding, cooperation and mutual respect.
I thank you