HRW Urges Approval of Resolution on Iran’s Human Rights Situation

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the United Nations (UN) member states to vote in favor of a resolution on alleged rights abuses in Iran.

In a joint letter signed by 36 human rights and other organizations, the New York-based rights group on Monday urged the UN member countries to approve Resolution A/C.3/70/L.45 on the promotion of human rights in Iran, the official website of the HRW reported on Tuesday.

The vote is scheduled for November 19, 2015, during the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Earlier, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Seyed Abbas Araqchi had criticized international bodies like the United Nations over their discriminatory approach toward Iran on the issue of human rights.

Iran has had good cooperation on human rights mechanisms of the United Nations, Araqchi said in a meeting with Iranian ambassadors and envoys here in Tehran on Monday.

He referred to Iran’s collaborations with the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its rapporteurs, and criticized those behind a UN resolution on Iran’s human rights due to be put on vote later this week.

“The elements in this resolution contradict the human rights realities in our country,” Araqchi stressed.

The Iranian diplomat further underlined that dialogue is the only way to promote and support human rights, and urged all countries to support Tehran’s position and oppose the political use of human rights resolutions.