UN General Assembly Approves Resolution Condemning Human Rights Violations in Iran

The UN General Assembly has approved a resolution condemning human rights violations in Iran, which was endorsed by the Third Committee of the Assembly last month. This resolution was passed on Tuesday, December 18, with 80 votes in favor, 27 against, and 68 abstentions from member states. Apart from the Islamic Republic itself, countries such as China, Russia, Armenia, Iraq, Oman, Pakistan, and some African and South American countries voted against the proposed resolution, while the strongest support came from Western democratic countries. The draft resolution condemning 'severe and egregious human rights violations' in Iran was prepared by Canada with the support of several countries including the US, UK, Germany, and France, and was approved by the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly on November 19. The Third Committee condemned the increase in executions in Iran, expressing concern over the rise in the implementation of death sentences, particularly against political prisoners, the imposition of capital punishment on individuals below the legal age, increasing pressure against religious minorities including members of the Baha'i community, violations of the rights of political prisoners including lack of access to lawyers, and forced confessions within the Islamic Republic. The resolution calls on the Iranian government to release all those whose detention is considered arbitrary under international law. It also urges the Islamic Republic to end the harassment and discrimination against opponents and minorities, arbitrary detentions, torture, and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as the punishment of peaceful protests and political prisoners. The UN Secretary-General also stated in a report in October of this year that the 'repeated and severe' violations of human rights in Iran are a 'serious concern.' The human rights situation in Iran, especially the high number of executions, has increasingly drawn global attention, and human rights organizations have repeatedly protested to Iranian officials. May Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, wrote in mid-September this year on X: 'In August 2024, at least 93 people were executed. According to received information, only a portion of these executions has been officially reported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, highlighting the need for transparency.' Human Rights Watch reported in late November that at least 651 people were executed in Iran in the first ten months of this year.