Iran sees constructive dialogue as the most effective way to promote human rights worldwide, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran, like many other countries, considers the strategy of constructive dialogue and interaction to be the best way to truly promote and support human rights," Hossein Jaber Ansari told IRNA on Friday.
"[Iran] believes the best mechanism for addressing human rights issues in any country is that of the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council, which is based on equality, respect, universality, dialogue and constructive cooperation between countries and prevention of discrimination."
Ansari's comments came in response to a non-binding resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly's Human Rights Committee on Thursday criticizing Iran for the alleged crackdown on activists, journalists and dissidents, and its increased use of the death penalty.
He said Iran regards the politically-motivated resolution as "valueless", which was passed due to the "lobbying" of certain countries.
The resolution was adopted by the 193-nation assembly's Third Committee with 76 votes in favor, 35 against and 68 abstentions, Reuters reported.
Significant Setback
In a separate development, an envoy to the UN said in a statement before the Third Committee on Wednesday that the move represents "a significant setback in the United Nations human rights mechanisms," according to a transcript of his remarks carried on the website of Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations.
Gholamhossein Dehqani sharply criticized Canada, the author of the resolution, for "stubbornly" continuing a deliberate policy of incitement and campaign against Iran, despite the historic deal Tehran struck with major powers on July 14 to settle a 12-year dispute over its nuclear program.
In the resolution, the UN committee voiced concern over what it described as the "alarming high frequency" of the death penalty in Iran, which the judiciary says is mostly used for major drug-related crimes.
The United States and European countries were among the resolution's co-sponsors. Those voting against it included Tehran's allies—Russia, China and Syria.
In an interview with ICANA on Saturday, Chairman of Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Alaeddin Boroujerdi dismissed the UN resolution as "absolutely invalid", saying, "It would be better if the UN tried to address the crimes by the Zionist regime and Saudi Arabia instead."
However, the resolution was not entirely critical. It also welcomed pledges by President Hassan Rouhani on "important human rights issues, particularly on eliminating discrimination against women and members of ethnic minorities, and on greater space for freedom of expression and opinion".
