Tehran deplores a recent report by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the situation of human rights in Iran.
An unnamed member of the permanent mission of Iran to the United Nations in New York has described the report as “unfounded”, ISNA reported on Friday.
The official said Tehran has embarked on a long-term approach toward improving human rights in the country based on its national and international obligations.
Since the election of President Hassan Rouhani in 2013, his administration has taken “tangible steps” to improve public internet access and bandwidth and personal freedoms within the framework of the Constitution, he added.
Other Iranian officials have also pointed to Tehran’s commitment to promoting civil rights in various spheres.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Marzieh Afkham has recently said Iran is committed to its pledges to promote civil rights in various spheres. She said, “Over the past year significant steps have been taken to promote civil rights, minority (groups’) rights, and women’s rights, and (Iran) will continue to implement plans and endeavors in that respect.”
The UN envoy said the latest report of the UN chief “serves the political aims of certain (anti-Iran) member states” and is void of truth.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Thursday introduced a report of the secretary-general on the situation of human rights in Iran. In his report, Ban Ki-moon called on the Iranian government to reconsider use of the death penalty and prohibit executions of juvenile offenders. He also urged Iran to give space for human rights activists, lawyers and journalists. Iranian officials have on various occasions asserted that such reports are drawn up partly due to the lack of a clear and adequate understanding of Iran’s judicial system and laws.
