Source: www.reuters.com
18 Nov 2003 18:46:23 GMT
Canada revives UN measure rapping rights in Iran
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Evelyn Leopold
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Canada said on Tuesday it introduced a draft U.N. resolution accusing Iran of human rights abuses, including suppression of free speech, torture and discrimination against women and religious minorities.
The document, obtained by Reuters, was given to members of the General Assembly's human rights committee in hopes of a vote by Friday. Adoption by the panel, which includes 191 U.N. members, is usually tantamount to passage by the assembly.
Among the co-sponsors are the United States, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden. More support from Europeans is expected but the 15-member European Union last month, while rebuking Iran on civil liberties, decided not to introduce a U.N. resolution, preferring to maintain a dialogue with Tehran.
The Geneva-based U.N. Commission on Human Rights adopted annual resolutions on Iran's rights record from 1984 to 2001 and the assembly followed suit. But last year the draft was narrowly defeated in Geneva and not revived by the assembly.
Specifically, the Canadian resolution calls on Iran, dominated by Shi'ite Muslims, to eliminate religious discrimination against minorities, including Bahais, Christians, Jews and Sunni Muslims.
It expresses concern at continuing public executions, the use of torture and amputation, arbitrary sentencing of political dissidents, suppression of press freedom and systematic discrimination against women and girls "in law and in practice."
Photojournalist Zahra Kazemi, a Canadian citizen of Iranian descent, died in custody in Iran in June, from a blow to the head, seriously damaging relations between Ottawa and Tehran.
The Canadian draft did not mention her by name but singled out crackdowns by the judiciary and security forces against journalists, parliamentarians, students, clerics and academics. It expressed "serious concern" at the "harsh reactions to student demonstrations" such as imprisonment and mistreatment.
Scores of student activists, frustrated with the slow pace of reforms, were jailed during the 10-day pro-democracy protests in June. Only a number of students were released after the supreme religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on the judiciary to exercise leniency.
Iran's powerful Guardian Council, which reviews all legislation to see it accords with Islamic Sharia law, has countered many reforms attempted by President Mohammad Khatami who has warned opponents they were alienating young people.
18 Nov 2003 18:46:23 GMT
Canada revives UN measure rapping rights in Iran
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Evelyn Leopold
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Canada said on Tuesday it introduced a draft U.N. resolution accusing Iran of human rights abuses, including suppression of free speech, torture and discrimination against women and religious minorities.
The document, obtained by Reuters, was given to members of the General Assembly's human rights committee in hopes of a vote by Friday. Adoption by the panel, which includes 191 U.N. members, is usually tantamount to passage by the assembly.
Among the co-sponsors are the United States, the Czech Republic, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden. More support from Europeans is expected but the 15-member European Union last month, while rebuking Iran on civil liberties, decided not to introduce a U.N. resolution, preferring to maintain a dialogue with Tehran.
The Geneva-based U.N. Commission on Human Rights adopted annual resolutions on Iran's rights record from 1984 to 2001 and the assembly followed suit. But last year the draft was narrowly defeated in Geneva and not revived by the assembly.
Specifically, the Canadian resolution calls on Iran, dominated by Shi'ite Muslims, to eliminate religious discrimination against minorities, including Bahais, Christians, Jews and Sunni Muslims.
It expresses concern at continuing public executions, the use of torture and amputation, arbitrary sentencing of political dissidents, suppression of press freedom and systematic discrimination against women and girls "in law and in practice."
Photojournalist Zahra Kazemi, a Canadian citizen of Iranian descent, died in custody in Iran in June, from a blow to the head, seriously damaging relations between Ottawa and Tehran.
The Canadian draft did not mention her by name but singled out crackdowns by the judiciary and security forces against journalists, parliamentarians, students, clerics and academics. It expressed "serious concern" at the "harsh reactions to student demonstrations" such as imprisonment and mistreatment.
Scores of student activists, frustrated with the slow pace of reforms, were jailed during the 10-day pro-democracy protests in June. Only a number of students were released after the supreme religious leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called on the judiciary to exercise leniency.
Iran's powerful Guardian Council, which reviews all legislation to see it accords with Islamic Sharia law, has countered many reforms attempted by President Mohammad Khatami who has warned opponents they were alienating young people.
posted by HRIRAN.ORG at 3:44 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home