UN Special Rapporteur - Human Rights In Iran Getting Worse
- 12 years ago
The United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights in Iran warns that the situation in the country is getting worse.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights in Iran warns that the situation in the country is getting worse.
Speaking at the International Peace Institute in New York, Ahmed Shaheed presented his findings to an audience of diplomats, rights advocates and journalists.
[Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran]:
"The country is a party of five of the nine legally-binding international human rights treaties and many of the rights guaranteed in these treaties are enshrined in its constitution. Yet, Iran is considered to be a substantial human rights violator meriting special attention from the international community. Some 240 interviews have been conducted with individuals that reported the violation of their human rights or the rights of others since I began my work mid-last year. The reports and testimonies relayed to me during these interviews demonstrate that the international communities concern is fully warranted. The allegations contained in this report paint a disturbing picture of a government that seriously struggles to comply with its international and national obligations."
Shaheed reports that religious minorities such as Sunni Muslims, Christians and Dervishes face persecution in predominantly Shi'ite Iran.
Special mention was made of the Baha'i faith.
[Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran]:
"The numbers of Baha'is that are in prison have increased, over a hundred at the present time according to the information I have and they face a whole range of discrimination, from being unable to practice their faith, being denied access to basic services, because of a practice called [inaudible] screening -- that's screening for ideological and religious adherence to the state. And often they face charges unrelated to their faith, national security charges, public order charges. By and large I would say the Baha'is are the most persecuted religious minority in Iran."
Shaheed will present his annual report on Iran to the U.N. General Assembly's human rights committee later this week.
His report also details the brutal treatment of those who attempt to uphold human rights in Iran - beatings with batons, mock hangings, rape, and threats that family members will be raped or killed.
Shaheed concludes that the situation in Iran has become worse.
[Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran]:
"Regrettably yes, I am concerned that I have not noticed any significant improvement in the human rights situation in Iran. If anything, things have become worse."
Shaheed was not permitted by Iran to visit the country in person.
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The United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights in Iran warns that the situation in the country is getting worse.
Speaking at the International Peace Institute in New York, Ahmed Shaheed presented his findings to an audience of diplomats, rights advocates and journalists.
[Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran]:
"The country is a party of five of the nine legally-binding international human rights treaties and many of the rights guaranteed in these treaties are enshrined in its constitution. Yet, Iran is considered to be a substantial human rights violator meriting special attention from the international community. Some 240 interviews have been conducted with individuals that reported the violation of their human rights or the rights of others since I began my work mid-last year. The reports and testimonies relayed to me during these interviews demonstrate that the international communities concern is fully warranted. The allegations contained in this report paint a disturbing picture of a government that seriously struggles to comply with its international and national obligations."
Shaheed reports that religious minorities such as Sunni Muslims, Christians and Dervishes face persecution in predominantly Shi'ite Iran.
Special mention was made of the Baha'i faith.
[Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran]:
"The numbers of Baha'is that are in prison have increased, over a hundred at the present time according to the information I have and they face a whole range of discrimination, from being unable to practice their faith, being denied access to basic services, because of a practice called [inaudible] screening -- that's screening for ideological and religious adherence to the state. And often they face charges unrelated to their faith, national security charges, public order charges. By and large I would say the Baha'is are the most persecuted religious minority in Iran."
Shaheed will present his annual report on Iran to the U.N. General Assembly's human rights committee later this week.
His report also details the brutal treatment of those who attempt to uphold human rights in Iran - beatings with batons, mock hangings, rape, and threats that family members will be raped or killed.
Shaheed concludes that the situation in Iran has become worse.
[Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Iran]:
"Regrettably yes, I am concerned that I have not noticed any significant improvement in the human rights situation in Iran. If anything, things have become worse."
Shaheed was not permitted by Iran to visit the country in person.
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