The International Center for Human Rights – ICHR : (March 29, 2014- Toronto, Canada): ICHR welcomes UN human rights council’s vote on March 28 to extend the mandate of its Special Rapporteur Dr. Ahmed Shaheed on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran for a further period of one year.
The International Center for Human Rights – ICHR : (March 29, 2014- Toronto, Canada): ICHR welcomes UN human rights council’s vote on March 28 to extend the mandate of its Special Rapporteur Dr. Ahmed Shaheed on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran for a further period of one year.
“ICHR believes that UN Human Rights Council has taken a significant step in the improvement of human rights situation in Iran. This is clearly an indication that new president, Hassan Rouhani, has not been able to make a significant change in the human rights situation as he promised before his election,” said Ardeshir Zarezadeh, ICHR executive director.
UN Human Rights Council adopted the resolution on the situation of Iran human rights by a vote of 21 in favour, 9 against and 16 abstentions which is a great response to human rights defenders who demanded the extension of special mandate’s term. The resolution requests the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Ahmed Shaheed, to submit a report on the implementation of his mandate to the Human Rights Council at its twenty-eighth session and to the General Assembly at its sixty-ninth session.
Dr. Ahmed Shaheed , with his work in the past two years following Iran’s 2009 Green Movement, has proved that he is a powerful and detail oriented rapportuer and was able to provide lawful documents to UN Human Rights Council to prove the ongoing human rights violation in Iran. We welcome his new term and believe that his examination and report on current developments will have a significant impact on the situation,” said Zarezadeh.
“This is message to the Iranian regime that the international community expects actions – not just words.”
The resolution calls upon the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to cooperate fully with the Special Rapporteur and to permit access to visit the country as well as all information necessary to allow the fulfillment of the mandate; and requests the Secretary-General to provide the Special Rapporteur with the resources necessary to fulfill the mandate.
The Iranian government continues to refuse to issue a visa to UN special mandate holder. There was no visit since 2005. Iranian authorities recently started personal attacks to Mr. Ahmed Shaheed in response to his accurate and well-balanced human rights reports to UN.
“The Iranian judiciary and government have not been cooperative with UN human rights mechanism, which is a proof that more serious actions should be taken against the Iranian regime,” said ICHR director.
ICHR continues to work with human rights and pro-democracy activists as well as the international community for the struggle of establishing a democratic society in Iran.
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