General Assembly criticises human rights record

The UN General Assembly on Monday criticised Iran’s human rights record, calling for additional reforms to be undertaken. The statement, part of a non-binding resolution to protect the human rights of citizens and end the use of torture and other cruel and inhuman punishments, was approved by a narrow margin, 67-54, with 46 abstentions. Asked how significant Monday’s decision was, Teresa Albero, a human rights officer for Iran at the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Switzerland told IRIN on Tuesday: “The significance is not its condemnation of Iran’s human rights record, since it has been doing that since 1984. What is significant is the areas it focused on - particularly justice and the rule of law - while at the same time acknowledging the commitment made by the Iranian government towards the respect of the rule of law.” Monday’s decision voiced particular concern about restrictions on the judiciary and cases of torture and discrimination against minorities, as well as the right to freedom of expression in Iran, after the suspension of several newspapers and the arrests of journalists.