U.N.: Iran Not That Wrong On Rights

The top U.N. human rights watchdog on Monday narrowly threw out a resolution criticizing violations in Iran, effectively ending two decades of special scrutiny and dropping the country from the list of worst offenders.

By a vote of 20-19, the U.N. Human Rights Commission rejected a proposal by the European Union, which would have censured Iran for executions and torture, discrimination against minorities and stifling press freedom.

The resolution called for a U.N. expert to continue investigating violations in Iran and report back to the commission next year under a politically charged procedure reserved for countries which commit serious abuses.

The defeat of the resolution — there were 14 abstentions — means that for the first time since the 53-member commission started criticizing Iran in 1983, the country will be spared examination at next year's session.

Iran has prevented U.N. rights investigators from visiting the country since 1996, but that has not prevented them issuing reports highlighting violations.

Activists were dismayed.

"The human rights crisis in Iran is only getting worse and this unfortunate decision will not help it to get better," said Loubna Freih of Human Rights Watch.

Iranian representative Pasmaneh Hastaie welcomed the outcome. She told the commission the resolution ignored the real improvement in human rights her country had achieved.

The EU proposal said that while democratic reforms in Iran had improved the human rights situation, Iranian authorities still were doing too little to meet international standards.

It cited public executions by stoning and "other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment, in particular the practice of amputation and flogging," and called on Iran to "expedite judicial reform, to guarantee to dignity of the individual and to ensure the full application of due process of law."

The resolution also condemned discrimination against religious minorities and ethnic groups, and expressed concern about attacks against freedom of expression.

Iran is not a member of the commission, but received strong backing from members including Pakistan, China, Cuba and Libya.

Pakistani Ambassador Munir Akram said the resolution was another example of rich nations ganging up against the poor and preaching about human rights.

This year's commission also has blocked discussion of human rights in Zimbabwe. But the meeting has censured Iraq and Sudan for rights violations.

Censure by the U.N. body brings no penalties but draws international attention to a country's rights record.

By Jonathan Fowler