Iran fails to halt UN Assembly rights resolution
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 22 November 2008 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Iran fails to halt UN Assembly rights resolution, 22 November 2008, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/492aadbc1a.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 22, 2008
UN headquarters in New York
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Western states claimed a success when on November 21 a UN General Assembly resolution condemning human rights violations in Iran passed through a key committee more easily than in the past.
Iran's bid to halt action on the resolution in the assembly's third committee – meaning it would have been shelved – was defeated by 81 votes to 71. A similar move on a similar resolution last year was stopped by just one vote.
The committee then passed the resolution by 70 votes to 51, although 60 countries abstained. The resolution goes to the full assembly next month, but diplomats said the outcome was expected to be the same and the key vote was in the committee.
The nonbinding resolution, sponsored mainly by Western countries and put forward by Canada, expresses "deep concern at serious human rights violations" in Iran.
It urges Iran to end alleged torture and cruel punishment of detainees, executions of juveniles, stonings to death, violent repression of women demonstrators, discrimination against ethnic minorities and members of the Baha'i faith, and restrictions on freedom of religion and belief.
"The importance of this resolution is to put the spotlight on Iran's very poor human rights record," British Ambassador John Sawers told reporters.
Bani Dugal, a New York-based Baha'i spokeswoman, said the assembly action had "cleared the way for a thorough investigation of human rights abuses in Iran."
She said the entire seven-member Baha'i national leadership in Iran was being held in jail in Tehran.
There was no immediate reaction from Iran's UN mission.
