Human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Welcomes the interim report of the Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran; also welcomes the stated commitment of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to promote the rule of law, including the elimination of arbitrary arrest and detention, and to reform the legal and penitentiary system and bring it into line with international human rights standards in this field; expresses its concern at continuing threats by the 15 Khordad Foundation to the life of Salman Rushdie; also expresses its concern that, since 1996, no invitation has been extended by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Special Representative to visit the country; expresses its serious concern at the continuing violations of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, as reported by the Special Representative; expresses its concern at the restrictions on freedom of expression, opinion, thought and the press; also expresses its concern at the discrimination against religious minorities, in particular the Baha'is; calls upon the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to make further efforts to ensure for all the application of due process of law by the judiciary in all instances; also calls upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to continue its efforts and to abide by its freely undertaken obligations under the International Covenants on Human Rights and other international instruments on human rights; further calls upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to ensure that capital punishment will not be imposed for crimes other than the most serious.

Adopted 61-47-51, 83rd meeting

4 p.

Adopted at the 83rd plenary meeting, 17 Dec. 1999.