UN Reporter: The Situation of Religious Minorities in Iran Remains Extremely Concerning

Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, 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. Ms. Jahangir succeeded Ahmad Shaheed last year as the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, and this is her first report in this role regarding the human rights situation in Iran. According to the UN website, Jahangir emphasized in her report that the lack of an independent judiciary, freedom of expression, and the continuation of arbitrary detentions remain serious concerns in Iran. The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran specified that for any significant change in the human rights situation in Iran, deep legal and structural changes must be implemented in the country. Ms. Jahangir welcomed the action of President Hassan Rouhani's government to draft and publish a 'Citizen's Rights Charter,' expressing hope that this charter would be implemented in a way that improves the human rights situation in Iran. She also noted the government's efforts to reduce the number of executions in the country, emphasizing that the number of executions has reached a 'warning level' that is deeply concerning. The UN Special Rapporteur referred to a recent bill in the Iranian parliament that, if finally approved, would impose penalties other than execution for drug offenders. Ms. Jahangir also called on the Iranian government to immediately and unconditionally halt the execution of minors under 18 years of age. Furthermore, she called for a stop to public executions. Jahangir stated that, given the absolute prohibition of any form of mistreatment and torture of detainees, punishments such as flogging, blinding, amputation, and stoning are carried out under Iranian laws, which violate such prohibitions. She urged the Iranian government to end mistreatment of prisoners and punishments that violate human dignity. The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran also called on the Islamic Republic to guarantee press and media freedom and to release all individuals imprisoned for expressing their views and opinions. Ms. Jahangir further stated that the situation of both official and unofficial religious minorities in Iran remains extremely concerning. The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran said that Baha'is continue to be systematically and purposefully discriminated against and are deprived of the right to life.