Iran Slams Appointment Of UN Human Rights Investigator
Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the head of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, told Mehr News Agency: “The Islamic Republic should not accept the suggested rapporteur in this resolution to report on the state of human right in our country.”
Iran“It is not the first time we see such positions against the Islamic Rebublic regarding human rights issues,” Boroujerdi added. “They result from Islamic Republic’s complete independence and the failure of the oppressive political system that dominates the world today.”
Yesterday, the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva narrowly approved a U.S.- and Swedish-backed proposal to appoint a special rapporteur for the Islamic Republic. The proposal was approved 22-7 with 14 abstentions and 4 members not participating.
The Council expressed concern over the “oppression of dissidents” and the surge in executions in Iran. But Boroujerdi insisted that the state of human rights in Iran is quite good given the country’s particular characteristics: “[A]nd the freedoms that are enjoyed in our country and the security in such an open condition is highly favourable.”
The Head of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said the whole of the United Nations and especially the security council is under the influence of the U.S. and its allies, and in terms of human rights they have a double standard.
Boroujerdi noted the Israeli bombings of Gaza and the state of countries such as Libya, Bahrain and Yemen, adding that “we did not witness any timely and binding reactions from the United Nations.”
Condemning the “oppressive and unfair” policies of the UN, Boroujerdi added: “We should not pay any attention to such resolutions.”
Last night on state television, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said: “The passage of the anti-Iranian resolution at the UN Human Rights Council cannot be justified. It is politically motivated and it was approved under U.S. pressure.”
“The objective behind this resolution was to pressure the Islamic Republic of Iran and divert attention from human rights abuses in the West, specifically in the U.S.,” he added.
On Wednesday, Islamic Republic representatives responded to the UN Secretary General’s concerns as expressed in an 18-page report: the execution of political prisoners, juvenile offenders and drug traffickers; the arrest of journalists, lawyers and bloggers; as well as reports of torture and unfair trials.
Ban Ki-moon noted that the Iranian panel did not address any of the issues and merely resorted to general statements and sloganeering.
Iran’s failure to cooperate with the UN Human Rights investigator may lead to international pressure
Iran: 2 Officers Killed Near Border
Iran sends medical team to Libya
Press TV--Iran’s Red Crescent Society says it has sent its first batch of relief items as well as a 12-member medical team to the Tunisian border to assist displaced Libyans. Deputy Manager of Iran’s Red Crescent Society Heydar Heydari told Press TV on Friday that the country’s first shipment of humanitarian aid has left for the Tunisian border on Friday night.
The Iranian shipment includes 36 tons of medical supplies and food stuff.
The official underlined that Iran is ready to send its second cargo, but it needs to know exactly what items are needed.
"Secretary General of the Libyan Red Crescent Abdul Hameed al-Madani told us on Thursday that they needed our assistance. Today these items and our team will fly to Tunisia. The Iranian relief workers will also set up a border camp for the displaced on the Libyan-Tunisian border," he said.
The Islamic Republic also plans to set up two field hospitals near the displaced persons camp, run by Iranian medical staff committed to stay and help the refugees as long as needed.
An estimated 120,000 to 140,000 displaced Libyans are said to be caught in the fighting between revolutionaries and forces loyal to embattled Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi.
Aid workers are warning that a humanitarian crisis is developing along Libya’s border with Tunisia, where thousands of people fleeing from Gaddafi’s regime every day.
Foreign forces started airstrikes against Libya late on Saturday after officials of a number of countries ordered a large-scale military intervention in the country in order to end the Gaddafi regime crackdowns.
Latest reports say US-led Western warplanes have struck Libyan ground forces for a seventh consecutive day near strategically-important towns.
The US and its Western allies have carried out a bombing campaign against Libya since the Security Council ratified a no-fly zone over the African nation.
Libya says many civilians have been killed in the airstrikes.