Iran Condemns Extension of UN Human Rights Rapporteur's Mission

The Islamic Republic strongly condemned the extension of Asma Jahangir's mission as the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, deeming the UN Human Rights Council resolution in this regard as "unnecessary, lacking legitimacy, and professional backing." Bahram Qasemi, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, stated on Friday, April 4, in response to the UN Human Rights Council's action that the Council had extended the special rapporteur's mission in Iran "solely based on the votes of a specific political bloc and a handful of its agents in the region," and that this resolution lacked support from the majority of members. According to him, the adoption of this resolution "is achieved through exerting pressure on other countries" and "misusing various political and economic levers," which leads to the "increasingly diminished credibility of the UN human rights system." The draft resolution against Iran was approved on Friday with 22 votes in favor, 12 against, and 13 abstentions. This resolution emphasizes the necessity for Iran to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, but the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson claims that Asma Jahangir faces a "fundamental legitimacy issue" in this mission and that "one cannot expect her to carry out her duties based on the principles outlined in the mandates of special rapporteurs, including the necessity of independence, fairness, impartiality, and professionalism." Mr. Qasemi referred to Ms. Jahangir's previous report on the human rights situation in Iran, calling it "regrettable." Asma Jahangir, who succeeded Ahmed Shaheed last year, stated in her first report that there has been no significant improvement in Iran's human rights record, and restrictions on freedom of expression and discrimination against women and religious minorities continue. Although this report was met with denial and severe reactions from Iranian officials at the time, Ms. Jahangir stated in an interview with Radio Farda that Tehran has not been able to present any substantive objections to her report. The UN Human Rights Council appointed a special rapporteur to monitor the human rights situation in Iran seven years ago following the crackdown on protesters during the 2009 presidential election. However, Iran has not cooperated with the special rapporteur to date. The draft resolution for this year's extension of the special rapporteur's mission was presented by Sweden, the United States, North Macedonia, and Moldova. In today's session, the representative of Germany spoke in favor of the resolution on behalf of the European Union. Conversely, representatives from Venezuela, Cuba, and Iraq also spoke against this resolution.