|
NEW DELHI, 18 October 2011 – Recent days has seen the release of two new reports profiling the situation of human rights in Iran – one from Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and another from the newly appointed Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ahmed Shaheed.
For the fourth consecutive year, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has strongly criticized Iran's record on human rights, saying violations have "continued and intensified" over the last 12 months.
Iran has stepped up its crackdown on human rights defenders, women's rights activists and journalists, Mr. Ban said in a report released yesterday.
Read the Secretary General’s report here.
The Secretary General said he was "deeply troubled" by recent developments, which included a "notable increase" in the country's use of the death penalty, along with a rise in unfair trials, amputations, and the use of torture, arbitrary arrest and detention.
Mr. Ban called on the Iranian government to respect the rights of all its citizens – but noted especially the "important and constructive role the human rights lawyers and activists play in protecting human rights," encouraging Iran to "fully guarantee freedom of expression and assembly and to open up greater space for their independent work."
"The report also outlines Iran's refusal to cooperate with UN special rapporteurs, who have since 2005 been denied permission to visit Iran so that they can investigate the situation there.
In his first report, the newly appointed UN investigator into human rights in Iran has appealed to the Iranian government to create a culture in which the fundamental rights and freedoms of minorities and women are protected. Special Rapporteur Ahmed Shaheed also urged Iran to refrain from repressing dissent, expressed concern about the deteriorating health of some prisoners, and repeated an earlier request to be allowed to visit the country.
Read the Special Rapporteur’s report here.
The Special Rapporteur, who took up his duties on 1 August, states that – instead of presenting a substantive report – he is focussing on presenting his proposed methodology for dealing with Iran, and cataloging the most recent trends in its human rights situation, gleaned from first-hand testimonies offered to him by individuals and organizations since his appointment.
These include widespread abuses against political and women's rights activists, journalists, filmmakers, human rights lawyers, and environmental campaigners; the use of torture against detainees; the imposition of the death penalty in the absence of proper judicial safeguards; requests for exorbitant bail requirements; and the lack of independence of judges.
In relation to Iran's Baha'i community, Dr. Shaheed reports that its members have "historically suffered multifaceted discrimination, including denial of jobs, pensions and educational opportunities, as well as confiscation and destruction of property." At least 100 Baha'is, including seven community leaders are currently imprisoned in the Islamic Republic, says the report. |
