UN Special Rapporteur: The Islamic Republic Should Accept My Recommendations Instead of Denying Realities

Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur for monitoring human rights in Iran, presented a report on the human rights situation in Iran to the General Assembly on Tuesday, stating that the report depicts the "bitter reality" of human rights in Iran. In the session of the UN Third Committee, he added that thirteen months have passed since the killing of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police, and the Iranian government has failed to conduct transparent, impartial, and independent investigations in this regard, continuously denying any wrongdoing on its part. Mr. Rehman stated that significant shortcomings in the legal and political framework of the Islamic Republic of Iran have considerably limited the ability of Iranian citizens to exercise their democratic rights in the political and public spheres. The UN Special Rapporteur reported to the UN General Assembly that the current situation in Iran has led to widespread distrust and public protests that were violently suppressed, with demonstrators being harassed, injured, killed, or facing arbitrary arrests, torture, and sentencing. Javaid Rehman also expressed concern about "broader human rights issues in Iran and the significant deterioration of the situation for individuals exercising their civil participation rights." He described the increase in executions as "alarming," stating, "At least 582 people were executed in 2022, with over 256 cases related to drug offenses, which is significantly higher compared to 2021." Mr. Rehman referred to the poisoning of 13,000 students, mostly girls, in over a hundred schools in Iran, stating that the government harassed girls and their families, teachers, and journalists who demanded accountability for the poisoning incidents, and failed to prevent the spread of these poisonings. The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran also expressed concern about the status of women's rights in Iran, stating that individuals protesting against compulsory hijab, both women and men, have been arrested and sentenced to long prison terms. He added, "Iranian women and girls are subjected to gender apartheid and discrimination, and ethnic minorities face discrimination and harassment." Rehman emphasized that the situation of human rights violations in Iran will not change until fundamental freedoms are guaranteed by law. The representative of the United States also referred to gender-based violence, unfair trials, internet shutdowns, sexual harassment of detainees, and targeted harassment by the "Iranian regime," calling for member states to support the UN resolution on the human rights situation in Iran, Mr. Rehman’s recommendations, and stand with the people of Iran. The representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran responded by saying that the neutrality of the UN rapporteur has been influenced by "political opportunism." He added that Mr. Rehman’s report provides a "false narrative" of the current reality in Iran and stated that "multiple reports" have been published regarding the cause of Mahsa Amini's death and the poisonings in schools. The representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran also called Mr. Rehman’s report on the suppression of minorities inaccurate, emphasizing that Iran is a "multi-ethnic" country and claiming that the constitution of the Islamic Republic considers individuals equal before the law regardless of religion. He described the Islamic hijab as part of Islamic values and a demand of citizens. In responses following the statements from country representatives, Javaid Rehman said, "I urge the officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran to cooperate with me regarding the issues mentioned in my report instead of denying realities, to accept my recommendations, and to address my concerns." He responded to the topic of the impact of sanctions imposed on Iran, which was also raised by countries like Belarus and China, stating that he has referred to the impact of sanctions, especially in the health and economic sectors, in his report and suggested recommendations to the sanctioning countries to broadly guarantee humanitarian exemptions from sanctions. Mr. Rehman stated, "Sanctions should not be an excuse for the ongoing violation of Iran's commitments under international human rights law, leading to new laws and increased violence against women, their humiliation, the enforcement of compulsory hijab laws, and violations of human dignity or the violent killing of women, men, and children and serious crimes against humanity." Javaid Rehman called on the Islamic Republic of Iran to hold all those responsible for Mahsa's death accountable. He also expressed his deep sadness regarding the distressing news about 16-year-old Armita Garavand, urging the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately abolish compulsory hijab laws. Claims by the newspaper 'Jomhouri Eslami': Armita Garavand's brain death is confirmed. The slogan "Death to Khamenei" was chanted by a woman protesting against compulsory hijab; police claimed she had a "mental illness." The Hengaw Human Rights Organization reported that Armita Garavand remains in a coma. The UN Special Rapporteur called for the Islamic Republic to stop the widespread harassment of human rights defenders and journalists. Hadi Ghaemi urged human rights organizations to be the voice of their imprisoned colleagues in the prisons of the Islamic Republic.