Iran slams use of human rights for political purposes

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has criticized the use of the concept of human rights as a tool for achieving political objectives.

“The abuse of human rights for political objectives has diverted human rights from its true path,” Salehi said at the opening ceremony of the International Conference on Human Rights and Cultures in Iran’s capital, Tehran, on Monday.

“Human rights must become a discourse for all countries and nations and not be considered the private property of a small part of the international community,” Salehi said.

Salehi further invoked the final communiqué of the 16th summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), saying that the statement stressed the necessity of adopting a constructive, non-selective, fair and non-political approach toward human rights.

Representatives from more than 100 countries attended the NAM summit that was held in Tehran in August, during which Iran assumed the rotating presidency of the movement for a three-year term.

Salehi noted that according to Islamic teachings, all religions must be held in respect and no person or group has the right to insult other peoples’ beliefs.

“Insulting and assaulting the beliefs of human societies are a clear violation of basic human rights,” the Iranian foreign minister added.