Iran's Reaction to US Human Rights Report: A Pretext for Interference in Internal Affairs

The spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry described the US State Department's report on human rights in Iran as 'rejected', 'repetitive', and 'a lever for pressure and bargaining, and a pretext for interference in the internal affairs of other countries.' The United States criticized countries such as Iran, Cuba, and Myanmar in its annual human rights report published on Thursday, July 4, highlighting severe restrictions on freedom of expression, religion, and the press in Iran. According to the state news agency IRNA, Marzieh Afkham, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, also criticized the 'implicit threat' in this report regarding the continuation of human rights sanctions against the Islamic Republic, deeming all sanctions against Iran as 'illegitimate' and lacking 'legal validity.' Afkham stated that ongoing discussions regarding Iran's nuclear program 'do not imply an endorsement of human rights violations in the United States.' She emphasized, 'It is better for the US to address its internal responsibilities instead of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries under the pretext of human rights.' She listed issues such as 'the rise of racism', 'widespread discrimination against African Americans', 'increasing Islamophobia and persecution of religious minorities', and 'unchecked police violence' as examples of 'human rights violations in the US.' These points have also been highlighted by China in its response to the US human rights report, urging the United States to resolve its own human rights issues first. The US human rights report was released while Iranian and American negotiators were sitting at a table elsewhere in the world, attempting to reach a comprehensive agreement regarding Iran's nuclear activities. Nevertheless, Afkham stressed that the Iranian government pursues 'the advancement of citizen rights programs' 'regardless of the claims and accusations' of such reports and 'solely based on the lofty values of Islam, commitment to all Iranians, and the constitution of the country.' She added, 'This report was published while the President of Iran... has put the Charter of Citizen Rights... up for national opinion and dialogue in fulfilling his electoral commitments.' The government of Hassan Rouhani published a document called the 'Charter of Citizen Rights' on the hundredth day of his presidency, which has yet to be approved by the government. Following the publication of this charter, some activists and human rights organizations have called for transparency in the consultation and feedback processes for its completion, while others have described it as 'unnecessary and lacking enforceability.'