Iran’s human rights situation discussed in Human Rights Council
Published by Ali on June 30, 2021International Liberty Association : The UN Human Rights Chief presented the UN’s annual report on the situation of human rights in Iran on Monday, 22 June. At the opening of 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council which will last until July 13, Mrs. Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presented the Secretary-General’s report on human rights in Iran, which covered the period from 1 June 2020 to 17 March 2021. The session is held virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions. Mrs. Bachelet told the UN Human ILA :Rights Council: “Economically, Iran faced deteriorating living standards, high inflation, and widespread unemployment, fuelling discontent and protests. However, at the political level, the authorities had shown no willingness to adopt meaningful reforms.” According to the UNSG report in 2020, at least 267 people, including nine women, were executed. Mrs. Bachelet also pointed out the executions of at least 69 Kurds, including some under vaguely defined charges. The UN Rights Chief also pointed out that lawyers and numerous civil society activists had been imprisoned for advocating women’s rights and an end to compulsory veiling. Overall, the report found a disturbing human rights landscape for Iranian women and men of every religious faith, ethnic origin, social class, and other status. The High Commissioner expressed regret that the framework for the right to political participation was not in line with international standards. The report by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was published on 9 June 2021. Mr. Guterres said in the report that the overall situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran remains of serious concern. He emphasised that the failure to establish a mechanism in accordance with international law for accountability and remedy for violations committed in the context of protests in November 2019 is emblematic. Protesters, human rights defenders, lawyers, and civil society actors continue to be subject to intimidation, arbitrary detention, and criminal prosecution, including the death penalty.