In Response to Javid Rahman's Statements; The Islamic Republic Accuses Him of 'Supporting Terrorism'

The Secretary of the Human Rights Headquarters of the Islamic Republic, in a letter to the President of the Human Rights Council and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, claimed that the positions of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran are 'biased' and described the Islamic Republic as a 'victim of terrorism.' Kazem Gharibabadi, in a 'critical' letter to 'Volker Turk,' the President of the Human Rights Council and 'Volker Turk,' the High Commissioner for Human Rights, labeled Javid Rahman's activities and positions as 'biased' and supportive of 'terrorism,' stating that his presence at a 'parliamentary meeting in the United Kingdom' indicates 'his support for terrorism and terrorists' and 'his close ties with the terrorist group Mujahedin-e Khalq.' Reports and positions taken by Javid Rahman in recent years, especially in the last two years, have consistently provoked 'anger' and 'protests' from officials and media affiliated with the Islamic Republic. In several recent reports to the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly, Rahman has severely criticized the judicial and trial system in the Islamic Republic, deeming the accountability system in Iran as lacking international standards. The UN Special Rapporteur has characterized the status of women's rights in the Islamic Republic as 'gender apartheid' and called for international actions to hold human rights violators in Iran accountable. Gharibabadi, the international deputy of the judiciary of the Islamic Republic, claimed in his recent letter to UN human rights officials that the 'mission' under which Javid Rahman was appointed as 'Special Rapporteur' was based on 'political considerations' and had 'no connection to human rights.' According to this judiciary official's claims, over the past 45 years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been one of the 'greatest victims of terrorism.' Javid Rahman, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, expressed regret on Friday, September 15, regarding the human rights situation in Iran over the past year. In an exclusive interview with VOA on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini while in the custody of the Islamic Republic's 'morality police,' he stated that Iran has experienced a very 'tragic' year in terms of human rights violations, women's rights, and the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. Rahman referred to his activities over the past year, including submitting two reports to the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly and his efforts to establish a fact-finding committee of the Human Rights Council. Rahman further noted that he had sent messages to Iranian officials in Geneva and New York, stating that 'unfortunately' Iranian officials resist any communication 'with me.' He emphasized that he 'should have gone to Iran in July 2018,' but Iranian officials have prevented his access to Iran. In another part of his interview, referring to the 'tragic and sorrowful' events that have occurred in Iran since Mahsa's death, he said, 'surely one day democracy and the rule of law will prevail in Iran.' The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also expressed regret on Friday over the approval of a 'stricter' bill related to hijab by the Islamic Consultative Assembly and the increase in prison sentences and heavy fines for non-compliance with mandatory hijab in Iran. Volker Turk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, also reacted last week to the parliament's approval of the 'Chastity and Hijab' bill, emphasizing that this 'oppressive' bill contradicts international laws and called for its repeal. On the anniversary of Mahsa's death, Javid Rahman told VOA that Iran has gone through a tragic year. The High Commissioner for Human Rights called for the repeal of the 'oppressive' and 'humiliating' hijab bill in Iran. Amnesty International described the 'Chastity and Hijab' bill as a disgusting violation of the rights of Iranian women and girls. UN experts condemned the intensification of the crackdown on protesters on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini. On the anniversary of Mahsa's death, Javid Rahman stated: 'It has been a very tragic year in terms of human rights violations.' A letter from the Human Rights Defenders Association to Javid Rahman stated that the lives of prisoners are in danger.