Iranian authorities have denounced the recent report of the United Nation’s special human rights rapporteur for Iran.
Justice Minister Morteza Bakhtiyari described Ahmad Shaheed’s report as an “unforgivable injustice” and, in an interview with the Fars News Agency, accused the UN rapporteur on human rights of being dishonest.
Ahmad Shaheed released his latest report on the situation of human rights in Iran on March 6, in time for the 19th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva,
Shaheed claimed his report has “catalogued allegations that produce a striking pattern of violations of fundamental human rights.” In the report, he calls for further investigation into the testimony he has collected.
The 36-page report documents the cases of numerous victims of human rights violation, as well as accounts of violations of the rights of women, labour unions, human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience, journalists, students, religious and ethnic minorities, and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Allaeddin Boroujerdi, the head of Iran’s National Security Commission and Foreign Policy in the Islamic Republic Parliament, accused Shaheed of being a U.S. agent, saying that: “instead of contacting Iranian officials, he just contacts anti-Revolutionary elements.” Boroujerdi said the report is prepared in coordination with U.S. policies against Iran.
In order to prepare his report, Shaheed met with various NGOs and interviewed several Iranians living outside Iran. His methodology also included visits with various diplomats and inter-governmental organizations. Iranian authorities denied Shaheed’s request to travel to Iran for further research.
