An envoy to the United Nations denounced the recent report by the world body's special investigator on the situation of human rights in Iran as "biased and non-constructive" and out of touch with realities.
"The biased and non-constructive report of the special rapporteur is one of the outcomes of the misuse of human rights mechanisms," said Forouzandeh Vadiati before the Third Committee of the 70th Session of the General Assembly on Wednesday.
In his report on Tuesday, Ahmed Shaheed described the overall human rights situation in Iran as "dire", and in a "troubling state".
"It is released and is to be followed by an ill-intentioned draft resolution at the time when Iran's policy of constructive engagement with the world has led, inter alia, to the conclusion of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between Iran and the six world powers, and is opening a new chapter in relations between Iran and the world," Vadiati said.
JCPOA is the official title of the July nuclear deal between Tehran and the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council plus Germany), which is aimed at removing international sanctions in exchange for curbs on Iran's civilian nuclear program. She bolstered her case by highlighting the measures Iran has taken to uphold human rights.
Readiness for Dialogue
"Focusing on human rights as well, my government is fulfilling its obligations within the framework of the Universal Periodic Review mechanism, is pushing a Citizen Charter of Rights through the legislature and has also declared its readiness to engage in a serious and genuine human rights dialogue with interested countries with a view to removing any misunderstanding," Vadiati said.
"It is unfortunate that the report submitted by the special rapporteur ignores all realities in my country," she added, according to a transcript of her remarks posted on the website of Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations.
Rather than realities, the politically motivated report reflects the "unhealthy, selective" approach of certain hostile governments, she said.
"The report before us today is a product of an unhealthy, selective and politically motivated exercise initiated by certain countries, and we never expected to observe a balanced and impartial report out of mere hostile and unreceptive policies of those countries. Therefore, the report is not an authentic reflection of the actual situation of human rights in my country."
Continued Engagement
The envoy reminded, "In keeping with our constructive approach, our permanent missions in Geneva and New York and some relevant officials have met the special rapporteur several times and will continue to engage him."
Judicial, human rights, foreign affairs and narcotic officials met Shaheed in Geneva on Sept. 15-16 to discuss the gravity of the drug problem in Iran and the government's response.
Shaheed described the Iranian government's engagement with him as "more substantive," acknowledging that his latest report is "marginally more optimistic" than the previous ones.
"Finally, it should be seriously taken into account that the current government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has advanced and implemented meaningful and substantive measures, including in the fields of human rights, since assuming office," Vadiati added.
