Deputy of the Judiciary Calls for 'Reference to International Human Rights Conventions' in Judicial Rulings

The Deputy for International Affairs of the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic has sent a circular to the heads of the judiciary across the country, calling for 'reference to international human rights conventions' in judicial rulings by judges. In the circular from Kazem Gharib Abadi, who holds the position of 'Secretary of the Human Rights Headquarters' as Deputy for International Affairs, international conventions that have 'completed the process of ratification and implementation' are declared 'domestic law that must be enforced' and it is emphasized that 'in aligning the subject of the ruling with the provisions of human rights conventions, necessary delicacy and precision should be exercised so that there are no domestic laws conflicting with human rights commitments.' This judicial official has also emphasized that 'broad interpretations' of the provisions of 'enforceable conventions' should be avoided 'in a manner that conflicts with religious principles, the constitution, and other domestic laws.' This emphasis effectively negates the essence of the circular. The circular, which seems to be part of the Islamic Republic's formal actions to reduce UN human rights criticisms regarding the human rights situation in Iran, is dated December 7 but was published today, January 13. One of the ongoing criticisms from international bodies and various UN mechanisms regarding human rights in Iran is the non-compliance of many criminal laws in the Islamic Republic with the treaties and conventions on human rights that Iran is committed to implementing. Currently, Iran is a signatory to five major human rights treaties, including the law on joining the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the law on joining the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the law on joining the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the law on joining the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the law on joining the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. Nevertheless, over the past decades, dozens of official reports from various UN human rights mechanisms have documented widespread violations of various human rights principles within the judiciary of the Islamic Republic. Circulars such as the recently published one regarding 'reference to international human rights conventions in judicial rulings' are likely one of the actions that the Islamic Republic will exploit in its upcoming weeks and months as part of its propaganda campaigns, portraying it as 'a step' towards 'respect for human rights.' However, similar instances in the past have not improved the human rights situation, particularly regarding respect for fundamental human rights principles in fair trials, and have mostly had a performative and promotional aspect. The annual report from Human Rights Watch: The Iranian government continues its 'oppressive crackdown.' The trial session for Mohammad Habibi, spokesperson for the Tehran Teachers' Guild, has been held. Eight protesters in Ilam province have been sentenced to a total of 64 years in prison. Exclusively; the criminal court in Golestan sentenced one protester to 8 years in prison. Nearly 100 years of imprisonment and other penalties for eleven constitutional activists. Activists and human rights organizations have warned about the execution of Reza Rasayi and Mojahid Korkor.