The United Nations Human Rights Council voted Wednesday to renew its agreement with a special rapporteur to continue monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in Iran.
The resolution was adopted with 20 countries voting to extend the mandate of Ahmed Shaheed as special rapporteur for human rights in Iran.
Among the countries that voted against extending the mandate were Russia, China, Cuba and South Africa.
A Geneva-based human rights group, called the adoption of the resolution “a concrete sign that the international community recognizes that human rights violations are ongoing in the country and stands in solidarity with the numerous victims in Iran.”
The transgressions Iran is accused of include restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly, the arbitrary detention of journalists and political and civic figures, discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities, and violence against women and the suppression of their rights, advocates said. Last year, executions increased to the highest number in more than two decades, according to Shaheed’s most recent report.
 

human rights record needs continued monitoring, activists say

“Change won’t happen overnight, as the Iranian state is based on principles that discriminate against women, ethnic and religious minorities, gays and numerous others,” theGeneva-based human rights group said. “Yet this important step keeps the item prominently on the international agenda and gives hope to oppressed citizens in Iran.”
Iran has been critical of the rapporteur’s reports.
Shaheed was appointed as special rapporteur for human rights in Iran in 2011. Tehran has never allowed him to visit the country.

Source: Los Angeles Times, March 24