Tehran Calls for the Termination of the UN Special Rapporteur's Mission on Human Rights in Iran

The Iranian representative at the 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council once again described the appointment of a special human rights rapporteur for Iran as the result of a political and selective action by the Human Rights Council and called for an end to his mission. According to the IRIB news agency, Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy Head of the Human Rights Headquarters of Iran's Judiciary, stated on Tuesday, March 13, at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, that Iranian officials have met with the special rapporteur on human rights in Iran 'four times.' According to Mr. Gharibabadi, Iran has 'successfully completed two rounds of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process' and regularly submits its periodic reports to human rights treaty bodies. He also announced that the Islamic Republic has 'principally' agreed to the special rapporteur's request for a visit to Iran regarding unilateral coercive measures. Mr. Gharibabadi further reported that in the past two years, Iranian officials have met four times with the special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, as well as with special rapporteurs on minorities, child trafficking, and unilateral coercive measures. He noted that special rapporteurs on human rights in Iran and unilateral coercive measures are scheduled to meet with Iranian officials again this week. He also mentioned that Iran has held fifteen rounds of bilateral human rights dialogues with ten countries and the European Union over the past two years, aiming to 'promote human rights and exchange experiences and best practices.' The remarks by the Deputy Head of the Human Rights Headquarters of the Judiciary come as Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, criticized the 'lack of cooperation' from some countries, including Iran, with the council on Tuesday, September 15. According to this UN official, Iranian authorities have not allowed inspectors from this international body to visit Iran since 2013. The Human Rights Headquarters of Iran's Judiciary described these statements as 'incorrect and unfounded claims' and asserted that it has officially invited both the former and current commissioners for a visit to Iran multiple times but received no response. Iranian officials had reported in 2014 on meetings between 'judicial and diplomatic' officials of Iran and Ahmed Shaheed. Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic has repeatedly stated that it does not recognize the appointment of a special human rights rapporteur for Iran. Ahmed Shaheed was appointed as the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran in 2011. The Islamic Republic has always labeled Mr. Shaheed's reports as 'political' and devoid of reality and never allowed him to travel to Iran. Ms. Asma Jahangir succeeded Ahmed Shaheed last year as the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran. In response to Ms. Jahangir's report, she noted at the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva on Tuesday that the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic has 'reached alarming levels,' citing executions, new prison sentences, and increased pressure on political activists in Iran. According to Ms. Jahangir, at least 530 people were executed in Iran last year, including at least five who were under eighteen years old. She reported that at least 156 people have been executed in Iran so far this year. In contrast, Mr. Gharibabadi described Ms. Jahangir's first report as 'full of baseless claims' and stated that Iran's official 102-page response 'was not reflected at all in this report.' The Deputy Head of the Human Rights Headquarters of the Judiciary emphasized that the 'unconstructive approach' of the special rapporteur on human rights in Iran has continued in her 'public positions and statements.' On Thursday, March 10, Bahram Qasemi, the spokesman for Iran's Foreign Ministry, announced that Iran's response in Ms. Jahangir's recent report 'was completely ignored, which undermines the principle of impartiality and professionalism of the rapporteur.' Iran's response to Ms. Jahangir's report has not yet been published in the country's media. Ms. Jahangir stated in her first report that there has been no improvement in Iran's human rights record, and restrictions on freedom of expression and discrimination against women and religious minorities continue in the country.