SEVENTY-SIXTH SESSION,
13TH & 14TH MEETINGS (AM & PM) – GA/SHC/4339 – 17 NOVEMBER 2021
A draft resolution on human rights in Iran — approved by a recorded vote of 79 in favour to 30 against, with 71 abstentions — would express the Assembly’s serious concern at the alarmingly frequent use of the death penalty, including against minors. Among other provisions, it would urge Iran to end its use and commute the sentences for child offenders on death row.
Iran’s delegate called the draft an “insincere political move” that exposes a deliberate policy of incitement to “Iranophobia”. She denounced that the cosponsors — Canada, the United States and “the child killer Israeli regime”, the main proponents of racism, occupation and abhorrent treatment of indigenous peoples — have come together to lecture others on human rights.
The representative of Israel, describing the human rights situation in Iran as “very troubling”, recalled the broader context in which these violations take place. Iran’s current regime, now headed by the “Butcher from Teheran”, has long based itself as a destabilizing entity whose trademark is chaos and civil war. Yemen, Syria and Lebanon serve as examples of Iran’s involvement, he said, pointing to a direct correlation between the way a country treats its citizens and its aggression towards other countries.
The representative of Canada, in response to Iran’s representative, acknowledged crimes committed against indigenous peoples in Canada and that there is systemic discrimination ongoing against them. “We are trying to do better”, he said, adding that, in response to these abhorrent acts, Canada established victim-centred approaches. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was led by indigenous peoples themselves, he added, underscoring that Canada believes in collective learning and collective wisdom.
The representative of Australia expressed concern that no meaningful efforts have been made by Iran to improve compliance with international human rights law. Australia remains deeply troubled by continued executions, including of juvenile offenders, as well as the fact that Iranian women and girls continue to face significant discrimination, she said, urging Iran to end discrimination against minorities, and the targeting of human rights defenders and lawyers.