Iran dismisses UN human rights resolution

TEHRAN,Dec.21(MNA) – Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Marzieh Afkham dismissed a UN human rights resolution against the country, expressing regret over the fact that the UN’s human rights mechanisms are being used to achieve political ends. According to Reuters, the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday approved a resolution on the human rights situation in Iran. The resolution was approved with 86 votes in favor, 36 against and 61 abstentions. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding. “The resolution is full of unfounded items and presents no sources but the websites and media outlets affiliated with its Western initiators and dependent and notorious terrorist groups,” Afkham said. She said Iran denounces the use of the human rights issue as a political tool by Western countries against independent nations. While the resolution on Iran expressed concern about the human rights situation in Iran, it acknowledged pledges by Iran’s new president, Hassan Rouhani, on human rights issues such as eliminating discrimination against women and members of ethnic minorities and promoting freedom of expression and opinion. It also praised Rouhani’s plan to implement a civil rights charter and encouraged Iran “to take concrete action to ensure these pledges can result in demonstrable improvements as soon as possible and to uphold the government’s obligations under its domestic laws and under international human rights law.” An Iranian delegate told General Assembly members before the vote that the resolution does not reflect the actual situation inside Iran and will be counterproductive.