The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly Condemns Human Rights Violations in Iran

On Wednesday, November 30, the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning human rights violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The resolution was passed with 77 votes in favor, 28 against, and 66 abstentions. This resolution, proposed by Canada, addresses various issues such as 'increased executions, arbitrary detentions, suppression of protesters, and violations of women's rights.' On the same day, the European Union presented its report on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran to the 79th session of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, expressing concern in this regard. The report, focusing on developments and the human rights situation in Iran over the past year, described the status of women's rights, freedom of expression, the safety of journalists, and the conditions of human rights defenders and their families as 'dire,' and strongly condemned the widespread use of the death penalty in Iran. The signatories of the report expressed serious concern about the deteriorating situation of women and girls in Iran. They emphasized: 'The intensification of repression against dissenters, targeted discrimination, the imposition of restrictive laws and policies on women and girls, and the lack of accountability of Iranian officials for human rights violations have raised numerous concerns.' This report, also supported by the United States and Canada, warned of the 'alarming increase in executions in Iran,' including the execution of European citizens. The European Union reiterated its firm opposition to the death penalty under any circumstances and called on the Islamic Republic to halt all executions, including those of minors, protesters, political opponents, and drug-related offenses, and to move towards abolishing the death penalty. In its human rights report to the 79th session of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, the European Union also emphasized full support for the UN Special Rapporteur and independent international fact-finding missions to investigate human rights violations in the Islamic Republic, stating that Iranian government officials must fully cooperate with all investigative and accountability mechanisms and with the UN and all its special procedures. Ultimately, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution proposed by 49 countries and condemned human rights violations in Iran. A statement from hundreds of civil and human rights activists against widespread executions in Iran noted that October was the deadliest month, with at least 166 executions recorded.