Iran refuses to cooperate with UN Special Rapporteur
Larijani: Iran’s human rights balance sheet raises no doubts
- Mohammad J. Larijani: Iran’s human rights balance sheet raises no doubts
In May 2011, the chairman of the Iranian Parliaments Human Rights Committee, Mohammad J. Larijani, declared that they would not refuse a visit from the UN Human Rights Councils rapporteur, specifically the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran. At the same time, however, Larijani did critisize the "imprecision and a lack of pressionalism" in the creation of the UN Human Rights Council’s reports.
Nevertheless, in the middle of June 2011, the Iranian Justice Minister came to the conclusion that "accepting a UN Special Rapporteur is not compatible with Iranian policy." Now in mid-July, their stance has shifted. Media headlines report that "Iran rejects the appointment of a UN Human Rights Rapporteur" - and the cherished hopes are already gone. After he had viewed such a rapporteur positively in May, Larijani came to the conclusion that the appointment was "onesided and ungrounded." He also does not tire of affirming that Iran has examined all the noted complaints and has found them "inaccurate."
"That Iran is pulling away its previously mentioned support is a sad example of interna-tional power plays," explained ISHR/IGFM Spokesman of the Board Martin Lessenthin. This is "clear to recognize as a political maneuver."
Irans criticism against the procedures of the UN Human Rights Council
Larijani already stressed in advance that a UN visit would lack professionalism and reliability if a Special Rapporteur responsible for the examination of 200 cases planned to spend only three days for research in Iran. He additionally warned that the reports could be used as part of a propaganda machine. Hereby he also hinted to the USA’s role in the March resolution of the UN Human Rights Council, which (according to the ISHR/IGFM’s view) he described as "a political act under the pressure of the USA." "Already here you can notice that Iran is trying even in advance to justify a possible nega-tive cooperation - with improper grounds," Martin Lessenthin continued.
China, Russia, Cuba and Pakistan against UN Resolution
In March 24, 2011, the UN Human Rights Council decided to appoint a UN Special Rapporteur for Iran in order to create a report about the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic. The resolution, which was introduced on the initiative of Sweden and the USA, calls on Iran to give the UN Special Rapporteur free access into Iran, to assist him with all required documents and to support him in his work.
The resolution was accepted 22-7, with 14 abstentions. Against the resolution were Bangladesh, China, Ecuador, Cuba, Mauritania, Pakistan and Russia, the ISHR/IGFM reports.
