The Third Committee of the UN General Assembly Condemns Widespread Human Rights Violations by the Islamic Republic

On Wednesday, November 15, the Third Committee of the 78th United Nations General Assembly approved a resolution proposed by Canada condemning widespread human rights violations by the Islamic Republic with a majority vote. Abram Paley, the Deputy Special Envoy of the United States for Iran, expressed solidarity with the Iranian people who are "fighting against oppression and violence for a free and democratic future". He wrote on the social media platform X: "Today, we joined 79 other UN member states to condemn the horrific human rights violations by the Iranian regime. We stand with the people of Iran as they continue their struggle against oppression and violence towards a free and democratic future." The human rights resolution was passed with 80 votes in favor, 29 against, and 65 countries either abstaining or absent from the session. This resolution will be voted on in the General Assembly one month after being reviewed under the "agenda item on human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs" and approved in the Third Committee. Issues such as the suspicious deaths of prisoners in Islamic Republic prisons, increased pressure on Iranian women under the guise of hijab enforcement, arbitrary and unjustified arrests of dual nationals and citizens of other countries, and the poor conditions of Afghan migrants in Iran have been among the widespread violations that UN members have protested against under the Islamic Republic. However, the International Affairs Department of the Islamic Republic's Judiciary condemned the approval of the Canadian resolution, stating: "Human rights have become more politicized than ever, with double standards and discriminatory approaches prevailing in this area." Last year, on November 16, the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly also condemned the Islamic Republic for its inhumane treatment of Iranian protesters with 79 votes in favor, 28 against, and 68 abstentions, which was later approved in the General Assembly with 80 votes on December 15, 2022. On December 14, 2022, a resolution to "end the Islamic Republic's membership in the Commission on the Status of Women for the remainder of the 2022-2026 term" was also passed by the UN Economic and Social Council, terminating Iran's membership in this commission. The dangerous working conditions in Iran have led to four fatal accidents within six months in Baneh. The IRGC's intelligence has reported the arrest of 10 Baha'i citizens in Tehran and Alborz provinces, and several Baha'i citizens in Sari and Hamadan are facing trial and home searches. The UN has called for the dissolution of the "Morality Police", stating that any form of violence against women should be criminalized. There have been widespread reactions to the convening of a social assembly of the Human Rights Council chaired by the Islamic Republic. Rapper Sadegh Ghasemi was arrested in Ahvaz. Amnesty International stated that mandatory hijab is a tool for "widespread and systematic" violations of the rights of women and girls in Iran. The White House commented on the death of Armita Garavand, indicating that this violence against the people reflects the "fragility of the regime". Concerns are rising regarding the condition of imprisoned rapper Saman Yasin in Qezel Hesar.