Ghasemi Criticizes UN Rapporteur's Recent Report on Human Rights Situation in Iran

Bahrām Qāsemi, the spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, described the recent report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation and the rights of ethnic and religious minorities in Iran as "biased" and lacking "legitimacy". Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, presented a report on Wednesday regarding the human rights situation in Iran during the first six months of 2017, expressing concern over the number of executions and torture, the execution of minors, the trial and harassment of human rights activists, violations of freedom of expression, and the status of women and ethnic and religious minorities. According to the IRIB News Agency, Qāsemi stated about this report: "Ms. Jahangir's human rights report is political, biased, and lacks legitimacy and credibility." He added: "The Islamic Republic of Iran's position regarding the Special Rapporteur and the reports submitted to the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council is a principled stance based on the political and unjust nature of the appointment of the Rapporteur for the human rights situation in our country." The spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated: "We believe that the reports of the Special Rapporteur are prepared and presented based on an unjust and unfair resolution driven by the political and malicious goals of a few specific and biased countries, and therefore lack legitimacy and credibility." This was Asma Jahangir's first report in her capacity as the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran. The report examined the situation in the first six months of 2017. Jahangir presented this report on Wednesday at the "Third Committee" session of the United Nations General Assembly. In her report, Jahangir expressed concern over the number of executions in Iran, emphasizing that at least four individuals accused of crimes as minors have been executed since the beginning of the current year, with 86 other minors awaiting execution. She also expressed deep concern regarding reports of torture, as well as the prosecution, trial, and harassment of human rights activists. Jahangir mentioned that she continues to receive reports of violations of freedom of expression, harassment of journalists, and their summons by government entities. She expressed concern over the arbitrary detention of dual nationals, stating that her report contains details of specific cases. The UN Special Rapporteur also emphasized that there are concerns regarding the rights and status of women, and that discriminatory laws and policies against these citizens must be abolished. She also expressed concern about the situation of ethnic minorities and believers in other beliefs and religions, reporting on the prosecution, arbitrary detentions, and torture of these citizens. Jahangir noted that representatives of the Islamic Republic cooperated with her and answered most of the questions she raised.