A prominent lawmaker denounced the human rights resolution of the United Nations General Assembly against Iran as "politically-motivated".
In an interview with ICANA, Gholamreza Asadollahi, a member of the presiding board of Human Rights Faction of Majlis, said the resolution lacks technical aspects.
Canada drafted a resolution criticizing Tehran over the use of the death penalty in Iran, which was adopted by a vote of 81 to 37, with 67 abstentions.
Among the countries that voted against the resolution were China, Cuba, Syria, South Africa, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Egypt, Pakistan, Russia and Sudan.
The General Assembly resolutions are non-binding but can carry political weight.
Asadollahi said, "While the nuclear dispute is settled, western powers seek other excuses to pressure Iran, including human rights."
It was the first anti-Iran resolution of the General Assembly after the announcement of a nuclear deal between Iran and major world powers on July 14.
"Unfortunately, the West employs double standards in dealing with human rights," he said. "Despite adopting policies and taking measures aimed at promoting human rights, Iran is considered a violator of rights, while the UN General Assembly does not react to repeated violations of rights of citizens in other countries, like Saudi Arabia."
Stressing Iran's readiness for cooperation on human right issues, the lawmaker said westerners are taking advantage of the UN to put pressure on "independent countries".
Asadollahi said such resolutions would definitely aggravate other countries' mistrust toward the United Nations and its objectives, adding that the body should modify its approach and pursue neutrality.
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN Gholamhossein Dehqani told the General Assembly that the resolution was biased and an "insincere and indefensible political move". He said the resolution "takes place at a time when Iran is pursuing a policy of constructive engagement with the world."
Iran believes that the best mechanism for studying human rights situation in all countries is through the Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council, which is based on the principles of equality, respect, universality, dialogue and constructive cooperation among all countries without any discrimination.
