UN passes resolution highlighting Iran’s repression of religious minorities
The UN’s General Assembly yesterday passed a resolution highlighting “widespread patterns of serious human rights violations” in Iran, including the continued repression of religious minorities.
The resolution, which was presented by Canada on behalf of 47 co-sponsors, was passed by a margin of 49 votes, with 79 in favour, 30 against and 71 abstentions.
Representatives from the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Israel and Japan joined Canada in providing statements in favour of the resolution during the General Assembly session yesterday, while representatives from Russia, Syria, Pakistan, China, Cuba, Venezuela, Belarus and North Korea joined Iran in criticising it as “politicised”. The representatives of Brazil and Mexico also spoke out against reported rights violations in Iran, but abstained from voting.
The US representative specifically mentioned Iran’s “continued repression” of Christian converts, as well as Sufis, Baha’is, Sunnis and Yarsanis. He said these groups “face severe treatment because of their beliefs, including harsh jail sentences”, and urged Iran to “respect the human rights of all, including members of religious minority groups, atheists and non-believers”. Meanwhile, the US State Department yesterday re-designated Iran as a “Country of Particular Concern” for “having engaged in or tolerated “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom”.
Brazil’s representative also highlighted the plight of the Baha’i community, while the representatives of Australia, Mexico, Canada and the UK cited Iran’s mistreatment of religious minorities without providing specific examples.