The Situation Of Human Rights In The Islamic Republic Of Iran Report Of The Secretary General

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, after considering the combined eighteenth and nineteenth periodic reports of the Islamic Republic of Iran in August 2010, expressed concern at the limited enjoyment of political, economic, social and cultural rights by, inter alia, Arab, Azeri, Baloch and Kurdish communities and some communities of non-citizens, in particular with regard to housing, education, freedom of expression and religion, health and employment, despite the economic growth in the country. The Committee drew particular attention to reports regarding the application of the “gozinesh” criterion, a selection procedure requiring prospective State officials and employees to demonstrate allegiance to the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State religion, and expressed concern that it might limit employment opportunities and political participation for members of Arab, Azeri, Baloch, Jewish, Armenian and Kurdish communities (see CERD/C/IRN/CO/18-19).

United Nations A/66/361
General Assembly Distr.: General
15 September 2011
Original: English
11-49942 (E) 071011
*1149942*
Sixty-sixth session
Item 69 (c) of the provisional agenda*

Report of the Secretary-General
Summary
The present report is submitted in accordance with General Assembly
resolution 65/226, in which the Assembly requested the Secretary-General to submit
a report to it at its sixty-sixth session. The report reflects the patterns and trends in
the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran and provides information
on the progress made in the implementation of resolution 65/226, including
recommendations to improve its implementation. In that resolution, the Assembly
called upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to address the
substantive concerns highlighted in the previous report of the Secretary-General
(A/65/370) and the specific calls to action found in previous resolutions of the
Assembly (resolutions 63/191, 62/168 and 64/176), and to respect fully its human
rights obligations, in law and in practice, in relation to a number of specifically
identified concerns.
* A/66/150.
A/66/361
2 11-49942
Contents
Page
I. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
II. Thematic issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
A. Torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including flogging
and amputation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
B. Death penalty including public executions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
C. Executions of juvenile offenders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
D. Stoning as a method of execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
E. Women's rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
F. Rights of minorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
G. Freedom of peaceful assembly and association and freedom of opinion and expression . 11
H. Lack of due process rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
III. Cooperation with international human rights mechanisms and the Office of the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
A. Establishment of a special procedure mandate by the Human Rights Council . . . . . . . . . 15
B. Cooperation with the United Nations human rights treaty system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
C. Cooperation with the United Nations special procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
D. Cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
IV. Conclusions and recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
A/66/361
11-49942 3
I. Introduction
1. The present report on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of
Iran is submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 65/226, in which the
Assembly requested the Secretary-General to report to it at its sixty-sixth session
and to submit an interim report to the Human Rights Council at its sixteenth session.
The report reflects the patterns and trends in the human rights situation in the
Islamic Republic of Iran and provides information on the progress made in the
implementation of the resolution. The report also draws upon observations made by
treaty monitoring bodies and the special procedures of the Human Rights Council.
2. Since the previous report of the Secretary-General (A/65/370), human rights
violations have continued to be committed in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Such
violations have continued and intensified, particularly in the case of human rights
defenders, women's rights activists, journalists and Government opponents.
Concerns about torture, amputations, arbitrary detention and unfair trials continue to
be raised by United Nations human rights mechanisms. There was a noticeable
increase in the application of the death penalty, including in public, since the
beginning of 2011. The execution of political prisoners and juvenile offenders was
also reported. Freedom of expression and assembly remained curtailed.
Discrimination persisted against minority groups and in some cases amounted to
persecution. In March 2011, the Human Rights Council scrutinized the human rights
situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran and adopted a resolution establishing a new
special procedure country mandate on the situation of human rights in the Islamic
Republic of Iran (resolution 16/9).
3. There were, however, some positive developments, including the signing by
the Islamic Republic of Iran of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the
Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict in September
2010; its appearance before the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination, in August 2010; and the conduct of a judicial colloquium together
with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR), in December 2010.
4. As noted in the Secretary-General's interim report to the Human Rights
Council (A/HRC/16/75), the Secretary-General met with the Secretary-General of
the High Council for Human Rights of Iran, Mohammad Javad Larijani, on
19 November 2010, in New York. The Secretary-General raised several human
rights issues, such as constraints on human rights defenders, the death penalty,
including for juveniles, and concerns related to minority rights. Mr. Larijani
conveyed that the Islamic Republic of Iran appreciated the general cooperation with
the United Nations but deplored the recent General Assembly resolution on the
situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
II. Thematic issues
A. Torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment, including flogging and amputation
5. Despite a constitutional prohibition on the use of all forms of torture for the
purpose of extracting confession or acquiring information, reports continue to be
A/66/361
4 11-49942
received about torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment taking place in
various places of detention. The Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel,
inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment has sent a large number of
communications to the Iranian authorities concerning serious allegations he had
received, including 19 joint communications in 2010. On 1 March 2011, in an
addendum to the report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/16/52/Add.1), the
Special Rapporteur noted with concern the various commonly applied methods of
ill-treatment, including beatings, stress positions, the denial of medical attention and
prolonged solitary confinement. He noted that such ill-treatment affected mainly
human rights defenders, journalists, social activists, political activists, religious
groups and individuals associated with various minority groups.
6. On 23 September 2010, a number of special procedures mandate holders,1 in a
joint communication, drew the attention of authorities to the case of Abdullah
Momeni, member and spokesperson of the Central Council of the Alumni
Organization of University Students of the Islamic Republic of Iran (Sazeman-e-
Danesh Amookhtegan-e-Iran-e-Islami-Advar-e-Tahkim-e-Vahdat), who reportedly
had been subjected to various forms of ill-treatment and torture since his arrest in
2009. According to information received, Mr. Momeni was subjected to beatings,
punches and kicks, upon arrest and throughout his interrogation. He was also
threatened with execution and rape and forced to stand on one foot for long periods
of time. In their comments on the report, the Iranian authorities dispute that
Mr. Momeni was subjected to illegal action.
7. Recurring cases of amputation and corporal punishment such as flogging
remain a serious cause of concern, justified by the authorities as Islamic
punishments. During the reporting period, the Iranian media published a number of
reports regarding the application of amputation and flogging. On 16 March 2011, in
connection with an amputation case in Khurasan Rizvi, the Deputy Head of the
Judiciary stressed that the amputation of limbs is part of the punishment to be meted
out to particular offenders.2 On 13 January 2011, the Public Prosecutor of Mashhad
also announced that the amputation of the limbs of two thieves would be carried
out.3
8. On 20 October 2010, four persons accused of disturbing public order and
security were publicly given 74 lashes each in the city Gunbadkaous.4 On 1 March
2011, a man accused of theft was publicly punished with 70 lashes at Imam
Khomeini square in the city of Lamrad.5 On 6 June 2011, the Appeals Court in
Tehran sentenced the former Chief Executive Director and Deputy Head of Industry
and Manufacturing of the Dokhaniat Company to both a financial penalty and
__________________
1 The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and
protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the Special Rapporteur on torture
and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and the Special Rapporteur on
the independence of judges and lawyers.
2 Semi-official news (Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA)), 16 March 2011. Available from
www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1735739.
3 Semi-official news (Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA)), 13 January 2011. Available from
www.irna.ir/NewsShow.aspx?NID=30185574.
4 Semi-official news Kayhan, 20 October 2010. Available from www.kayhannews.ir/890728/
15.htm#other1507.
5 Semi-official news (ISNA), 1 March 2011. Available from www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?
ID=News-1725542.
A/66/361
11-49942 5
74 lashes on charges of fraud and misuse of Government funds.6 On 1 June 2011,
the Secretary-General of the High Council for Human Rights of Iran was quoted by
the Iranian media as stating that flogging is not torture but rather a punishment and
a penalty.7
9. A sentence issued by the Iranian judiciary for an offender to be blinded by acid
received widespread international attention. Majid Movahedi attacked Ameneh
Bahrami with acid in 2004 after she had turned down his marriage proposal, leaving
her blind and disfigured. In 2008, a court ordered Mr. Movahedi to be blinded by
placing five drops of acid in each of his eyes. The implementation of the sentence
was scheduled for 14 May 2011, but was postponed, on the grounds that the medical
condition for the execution of the sentence was not provided.8 The Iranian
authorities reported that Ms. Bahrami ultimately pardoned her attacker and
withdrew her request for retaliation.
B. Death penalty including public executions
10. There has been no change in the application of the death penalty since the
Secretary-General's interim report to the Human Rights Council in March 2011. The
spike in executions, including in public, has continued with a large number of
executions, particularly in drug-related cases. According to Amnesty International,
in addition to the officially acknowledged 252 executions in 2010, reports of more
than 300 other secret executions are alleged to have been carried out, mostly in
Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. According to official sources, some 140 executions
occurred from 1 January to 20 June 2011, with some sources indicating the figure to
be as high as 185.9 On 13 May 2011, the Secretary-General of the High Council for
Human Rights of Iran acknowledged the high number of executions and attributed it
to efforts to combat drug trafficking.10 The authorities add that the Islamic Republic
of Iran only executes major traffickers and those who are repeat offenders, and in
some cases those executed have committed other serious crimes. On 2 February
2011, the High Commissioner for Human Rights publicly expressed alarm at the
dramatic increase in executions since the beginning of 2011 and called upon the
Islamic Republic of Iran to institute a moratorium on executions, with a view to
abolishing the death penalty. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial,
summary or arbitrary executions, jointly with the Special Rapporteur on the
independence of judges and lawyers, warned in a public statement of a dramatic
surge in death sentences that were carried out in the absence of internationally
recognized safeguards. The Government maintains that all legal proceedings and
requirements are completed in drug-related cases.
__________________
6 Ibid., 6 June 2011. Available from www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1782037&
Lang=P.
7 Ibid., 1 June 2011. Available from www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1780000&
Lang=P.
8 Ibid., 18 May 2011. Available from www.isna.ir/isna/newsview.aspx?id=news-1770495&lang=p.
9 According to Amnesty International, at least 135 persons were executed between 1 January and
27 April 2011; reports suggest that 40 other executions have taken place (see
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/sharp-rise-public-executions-iran-executes-firstjuvenile-
offenders-2011-2011-04-27).
10 Official news, Press TV, 13 May 2011. Available from www.presstv.com/detail/179641.html.
A/66/361
6 11-49942
11. The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions sent
a number of communications to the Iranian authorities, expressing concern at the
pattern of executions, affecting both Iranians and foreign nationals. He noted with
deep concern that the death penalty continues to be imposed for non-serious crimes
and that trials do not comply with due process safeguards. In a communication dated
26 January 2011, the Special Rapporteur noted that at least 147 persons, most of
them convicted on drug-related charges, had been executed between October 2010
and January 2011. Several cases involved foreign citizens of countries such as
Ghana, Nigeria and the Philippines, whose consular representatives were allegedly
informed after the executions had been carried out. The Human Rights Committee
has determined that a wide range of offences, including drug-related crimes, fall
outside the scope of the "most serious crimes" for which the death penalty may be
imposed (see A/HRC/4/20, para. 51). The High Commissioner for Human Rights
and special procedures mandate holders also wrote to the Iranian authorities on the
application of death penalty in sexually oriented offences such as sodomy.
12. A new anti-narcotics law was passed in December 2010 and came into force on
4 January 2011. Article 18 provides for the death penalty for drug traffickers and
major traders and also foresees punishment such as a travel ban ranging from 1 to
15 years for carrying or smuggling any quantity of drugs.11 The Deputy Prosecutor
General for Legal Affairs noted that the new anti-narcotics law had many flaws and
shortcomings which warranted a review.12 Despite this, the judiciary continued to
warn of a stricter approach in dealing with drug trafficking and stressed that drug
traffickers and major drug traders would face execution under the new law.13 On
29 May 2011, the Tehran Prosecutor announced that death sentences had been issued
for 300 persons convicted of drug-related crimes, including for some large-scale
drug traffickers and ringleaders.14 On 20 May 2011, the anti-narcotics police chief
disclosed that over 11,000 persons had been arrested during the previous 70 days in
connection with the sale, transportation, transit and consumption of crystal meth.15
13. The application of the death penalty on charges of Moharebeh (enmity against
God) was again a focus of concern during the period under review. According to
information received, over 20 persons, including Ali Saremi, Jafar Kazemi, Hussein
Khezri and Mohammad Ali Haj Aghaei, charged with Moharebeh were executed
during the reporting period and several received the death penalty following
conviction on vaguely worded charges. In Iranian law, Moharebeh relates to the use
of armed violence. While questioning the problematic and arbitrary nature of such
charges, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
expressed concern that despite repeated requests, the Government had failed to
provide a precise and explicit definition for Moharebeh. He also raised concern with
__________________
11 The penalty for trafficking and trading 30 grams of crystal meth, just like other psychedelic
substances such as crack and heroin, are punishable by imprisonment, whereas the penalty for
more than 30 grams is punishable by death.
12 Semi-official news (ISNA), 4 March 2011. Available from www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?
ID=News-1727415.
13 Official news, Iran News Daily; Semi-official news Fars, 29 December 2010; and Official
judiciary news. Available from www.dadiran.ir/default.aspx?tabid=40&ctl=edit&mid=389&
code=7697.
14 Semi-official news (ISNA), 29 May 2011. Available from www.isna.ir/isna/newsview.aspx?id=
news-1777767&lang=p.
15 Ibid., 20 May 2011. Available from www.isna.ir/ISNA/newsView.aspx?id=news-1770578&
lang=p.
A/66/361
11-49942 7
regard to the compatibility of the imposition of the death penalty on such charges
with the State's obligations under international law.
14. Some executions continued to be carried out in public. According to Iranian
press reports, at least 25 persons, including two alleged juveniles, have been hanged
in public since the beginning of 2011. On 29 May 2011, following the public
execution of two persons, the Prosecutor General of Kermanshah stressed that
execution in public is due to social exigencies and plays a pivotal role in the
deterrence of crimes.16 In her public statement of 2 February 2011, the High
Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the recurrence of public executions.
International human rights mechanisms have stated that executions in public add to
the already cruel, inhuman and degrading nature of the death penalty and have a
dehumanizing effect on the victim and a brutalizing effect on those who witness the
execution.
C. Executions of juvenile offenders
15. The Secretary-General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and several
special procedures mandate holders continue to highlight execution of juvenile
offenders as an area of grave concern. In his interim report to the Human Rights
Council, the Secretary-General expressed deep concern at the recurrence of juvenile
executions. At least two juveniles are reported to have been executed during the
period under review. According to Amnesty International, this included the public
execution of two juvenile offenders in Bandar Abbas on 20 April 2011, following
their conviction for rape and murder, committed when they were under the age of
18. The imposition of the death penalty on individuals who commit crimes while
under the age of 18 is a breach of both the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which the Islamic
Republic of Iran is a State party.
16. The Secretary-General of the High Council for Human Rights of Iran,
Mr. Larijani, was quoted in the media as saying that although the age of criminal
responsibility is below 18 years, judges have the discretion to assess the mental
maturity of child offenders and to ascertain whether the accused has the ability to
take responsibility for the act. However, when cases involving juvenile offenders are
prolonged until the accused reaches 18 years, the risk of execution becomes higher.
The Iranian authorities argue that priority is given to the rehabilitation of juvenile
offenders and the return of children to normalcy and society. The judiciary decreed a
non-binding moratorium on juvenile execution in 2005 and has often taken steps to
mediate between the families in such cases, even assisting the convicted person
financially to pay the diyah (financial compensation) settlement. The Government
reports the establishment of a working group affiliated to the General Prosecutor's
Office in Tehran, which includes social workers and other specialists who work to
mediate such cases between families. It is hoped that this initiative will serve as a
model for other provinces. The authorities also report that amended juvenile justice
provisions, which are pending before the Guardian Council, replace all punishments
for lesser crimes with educational and correctional measures.
__________________
16 Official judicial news, 29 May 2011. Available from http://dadiran.ir/Default.aspx?tabid=
62&ctl=Edit&mid=397&Code=8379.
A/66/361
8 11-49942
17. During the period under review, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial,
summary or arbitrary executions issued a number of communications in response to
information received regarding individuals who had been sentenced to death for
crimes they had committed as juveniles. The High Commissioner for Human Rights
also continued to intervene on individual cases through public statements and
private representations with the Iranian authorities. For instance, in a letter to the
Government on 13 January 2011, the High Commissioner expressed grave concerns
about the death sentences handed down to Ehsan Rangraz Tabatabaaie and Ebrahim
Hamidi, following their conviction on charges of lavat, or sodomy, for offences
allegedly committed when they were minors.
D. Stoning as a method of execution
18. Although the application of the death penalty by stoning appears to be
declining in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the judiciary continues to issue stoning
sentences.17 On 27 January 2010, a number of special procedures mandate holders18
drew the attention of the Government to the case of Sareimeh Ebadi and Bu-Ali
Janfeshani, who were sentenced to death by stoning, by a criminal court in Urmieh,
West Azerbeijan province, on charges of adultery. During their trial, they were
allegedly denied the right to select their own defence attorneys. The Appeals Court
in West Azerbaijan reportedly upheld the death sentence. On 7 October 2010, the
authorities, in a response to the special procedures mandate holders, reported that
the case is presently under review by the Provincial Criminal Court of West
Azerbaijan and no ruling had been issued.
19. The Iranian authorities maintain that execution by stoning for married persons
who commit adultery, as prescribed in the Penal Code, serves as a deterrent in order
to protect family and society and that such charges are, by design, very difficult to
prove. At a judicial colloquium held in December 2010 (see paras. 48-51 below), the
Secretary-General of the High Council for Human Rights of Iran argued that stoning
should not be categorized as a "method of execution", but rather as a method of
punishment, which he described as more lenient because 50 per cent of persons
survive.
20. On 24 June 2010, several special procedures mandate holders,19 in a joint
communication, expressed concern at the imminent execution of Ms. Ashtiani, who
has been facing death sentence by stoning for committing adultery. Ms. Ashtiani
was convicted in 2006 of the murder of her husband, but was also charged with
adultery while being married and was sentenced to death by stoning. She has
already spent five years in prison and received 99 lashes. During the trial
proceedings, the authorities arrested Javid Houtan Kiyan, her defence attorney, and
__________________
17 At least 10 women and 4 men are at risk of execution by stoning. Amnesty International, "Iran
executions by stoning", 23 December 2010. Available from http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/
info/MDE13/095/2010/en.
18 The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; the Special
Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; the
Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers; and the Special Rapporteur on
violence against women, its causes and consequences.
19 The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; the Special
Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and the
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences.
A/66/361
11-49942 9
Sajjad Qaderzadeh, her son, and also aired her confession on television, which
raised serious concerns about the fairness of the trial proceedings. The Iranian
authorities noted that despite the final verdict of the court upholding the stoning
sentence, it has not been carried out.
E. Women's rights
21. The authorities highlight the increased representation of women in Parliament,
local councils, senior Government and management positions, as well as higher
education. The number of women in management positions in the Ministry of
Education, for instance, is reported to have increased from 45 in 2005 to 482 in
2011. In the previous academic year, 390,306 girls were admitted to higher
education, an increase of 2,700 per cent in three decades.
22. During the period under review, women's rights activists and female
journalists and lawyers continued to face intimidation and harassment, and in some
cases, detention or travel bans. The Special Rapporteur on violence against women,
its causes and consequences sent a number of communications to the Iranian
authorities, expressing concern at the persistent arrest of members of the Campaign
for Equality, also known as the One Million Signatures campaign, along with female
journalists and human rights defenders, which could be directly related to their work
in defence of human rights. The authorities contend that activists working in the
framework of the One Million Signatures campaign have failed to obtain the
necessary legal permits, therefore their activities are considered illegal. In a joint
communication on 22 March 2011, the Special Rapporteur raised concern over the
arrest of Fataemeh Masjidi and Maryam Bidgoli, members of the One Million
Signatures campaign, on 7 May 2009, while collecting signatures in the framework
of the campaign. In a court hearing on 4 August 2010, they were charged with
"spreading propaganda against the system and publication of materials in support of
a feminist group opposed to the system" and sentenced to one year of imprisonment,
which was later reduced to six months by an appeals court. Concerns were
expressed that their arrest and detention was directly related to their work in defence
of human rights, and about the risks faced by other members of the campaign.
Furthermore, Maryam Bahrman, an Iranian women's rights activist and member of
the One Million Signatures campaign was reportedly arrested on 11 May 2011 at her
house in Shiraz and charged with national security offences. Ms. Bahrman's arrest
appears to be linked to her work as a women's rights activist and her participation at
the fifty-fifth session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, in
March 2011. Ms. Bahrman was reportedly one of the panellists in a civil society
event organized by the Italian Association for Women in Development.
23. The Iranian authorities note that, according to Islamic rules and regulation,
women are required to observe Islamic dress code in public places. On 9 May 2011,
the commander of morality police forces disclosed that thousands of morality
personnel had been deployed across the country to implement the moral security
plan. He warned that the police would strictly monitor all public places, including
vehicles, and take legal action against all those who breach morality codes.20
Furthermore, female students are reportedly banned from wearing bright clothes,
__________________
20 Semi-official news (ISNA), 9 May 2011. Available from www.isna.ir/ISNA/NewsView.aspx?
ID=News-1763914&Lang=P.
A/66/361
10 11-49942
having long nails or tattoos and also from wearing caps or hats without scarves, or
tight or short jeans. The new code also bans male students from dying their hair,
plucking eyebrows, wearing tight clothes, shirts with "very short sleeves" and
jewellery. In December 2010, the International Labour Organization (ILO)
Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations
identified the prospect of forced early marriages as one of the underlying causes of
runaway girls; discrimination in remuneration for men and women for work of equal
value; and the lack of economic participation for trained and educated women, as
areas of concerns directly affecting women.21
F. Rights of minorities
24. Restrictions on the overall enjoyment of human rights by unrecognized
religious minorities, particularly the Baha'i community, remain of serious concern.
In an addendum to his report to the Human Rights Council in February 2011
(A/HRC/16/53/Add.1), the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
expressed concern over the arrest and detention of members of the Baha'i
community and the continued violations of their freedom of religion or belief. The
ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and
Recommendations21 noted the seriousness of the situation of unrecognized religious
minorities, in particular the Baha'i, and expressed concern regarding religion-based
discrimination against them which limited their access to education, universities and
particular occupations in the public sector. The Iranian authorities argue that
although Baha'ism is not recognized as a religion in the Islamic Republic of Iran, its
followers enjoy social, civil and citizenship rights.
25. According to numerous reports, on 21 May 2011, security forces conducted
raids on the homes of individuals involved in the activities of the Baha'i Institute
for Higher Education and arrested 15 of its members in various cities, including
Gohardasht, Isfahan, Karaj, Sari, Shiraz, Tehran and Zahedan. The whereabouts and
status of the detainees remain unknown. The Institute has been subject to consistent
raids since its establishment in 1980. On 4 June 2011, a State news agency quoted a
statement from the Ministry of Science and Technology, declaring the activities of
the Institute to be illegal and all diplomas and degrees issued by that institution to
be lacking legal validity.22
26. In August 2010, seven other Baha'i community leaders, who had been detained
in May 2008 and produced for a trial in January 2010, were sentenced to 20 years in
prison, which was subsequently reduced to 10 years. In March 2011, the court,
however, reportedly reinstated the original prison sentence of 20 years. The High
Commissioner for Human Rights has raised this case several times in letters to and
meetings with the Iranian authorities, expressing deep concern that these trials did
not meet the requirements of due process and fair trial. The authorities report that
the seven were convicted on a combination of private complaints and national
security charges and not in relation to their beliefs.
__________________
21 ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations, December
2010. Available from www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_norm/---relconf/documents/
meetingdocument/wcms_151556.pdf.
22 Semi-official news (ISNA), 4 June 2011. Available from www.isna.ir/ISNA/
NewsView.aspx?ID=News-1780417.
A/66/361
11-49942 11
27. Reports continue to be received about Christians, in particular converts, being
subjected to arbitrary arrest and harassments. On 30 December 2010, a number of
special procedures mandate holders23 signed an urgent appeal drawing the attention
of the Government to the arrest of two Protestant pastors, Behrouz Sadegh-Khanjani
and Yousef Nadarkhani, on charges of apostasy. Mr. Sadegh-Khanjani was
reportedly arrested in June 2010 and charged with apostasy, blasphemy and contact
with the enemy. Mr. Nadarkhani has been in prison since October 2009 and is
charged with apostasy and evangelism. In September 2010, he was found guilty and
sentenced to death. Although an appeal was filed in December 2010, Mr. Nadarkhani
continues to be at risk of execution.
28. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, after considering
the combined eighteenth and nineteenth periodic reports of the Islamic Republic of
Iran in August 2010, expressed concern at the limited enjoyment of political,
economic, social and cultural rights by, inter alia, Arab, Azeri, Baloch and Kurdish
communities and some communities of non-citizens, in particular with regard to
housing, education, freedom of expression and religion, health and employment,
despite the economic growth in the country. The Committee drew particular
attention to reports regarding the application of the "gozinesh" criterion, a selection
procedure requiring prospective State officials and employees to demonstrate
allegiance to the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State religion, and expressed
concern that it might limit employment opportunities and political participation for
members of Arab, Azeri, Baloch, Jewish, Armenian and Kurdish communities (see
CERD/C/IRN/CO/18-19).
G. Freedom of peaceful assembly and association and freedom of
opinion and expression
29. Throughout the period under review, there were many cases of human rights
defenders, lawyers, journalists, bloggers and individuals who expressed critical
views being arrested, detained and sentenced to heavy punishments. In an addendum
to his report to the Human Rights Council in May 2011 (A/HRC/17/27/Add.1), the
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of
opinion and expression noted with concern the restrictions imposed in law and
practice on freedom of expression and opinion in the Islamic Republic of Iran. He
identified the application of certain vaguely worded provisions in the Islamic Penal
Code24 as major constraints that restrict the right to freedom of expression and carry
disproportionate sentences, including flogging and imprisonment.
30. At least 27 journalists were reportedly imprisoned, with several of them
receiving harsh sentences and other penalties. Ahmad Zeidabadi, a prominent
journalist and the Laureate of the 2011 United Nations Educational, Scientific and
__________________
23 Chair-Rapporteur of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Special Rapporteur on freedom
of religion or belief and Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.
24 Such as enmity against God, propaganda against the system, colluding against the security of the
system, insulting Islamic sanctities and leaders of the country, insults against the President,
distribution of pictures and materials intended to mock sanctities, cooperation with hostile
States by participating in anti-revolutionary conferences and establishment of anti-revolutionary
media.
A/66/361
12 11-49942
Cultural Organization/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize,25 is currently
serving six years in prison. Mr. Zeidabadi was arrested following the 2009
presidential elections and charged with "propaganda against the system" and
"conspiring to create public turmoil" and sentenced to six years of imprisonment,
five years of exile and a lifetime ban on political, social and journalistic activity as
well as writing and speaking. On 13 June 2011, Fariborz Rais-Dana, an Iranian
economist who criticized subsidy cuts by the Government, was sentenced to one
year in prison. According to ISNA, Mr. Dana was charged with "illegal membership
in a Writers' Association, preparation of press releases for seditionists, statements
against the regime, interviews with the BBC and VOA, and accusing the Islamic
Republic of prisoner abuse".
31. The ongoing crackdown has also impacted on the film industry, with wellknown
filmmakers subjected to harassment, arrest and, in some cases, prosecution.
The internationally acclaimed filmmaker, Jafar Panahi, whose case attracted
considerable international attention, was sentenced to six years of imprisonment,
coupled with a 20-year ban on film-making, film-writing, travelling abroad and
giving interviews to domestic and international media. Mr. Panahi was arrested in
March 2010 and charged with collusion and propaganda against the system.26
Another filmmaker, Mohamed Rasoulof, was sentenced to six years in prison on
charges including collusion and assembly, and propaganda against the system.27
32. The ongoing curbs on the media have also affected print media, weblogs and
websites. On 12 June 2011, IRNA reported that the Iranian press supervisory board
had banned a weekly, 9 Deh.28 On 22 November 2010, Chelcheragh, a reformist
weekly was allegedly banned for publishing articles contradictory to public
morals.29 Also in August 2010, the newspaper Asia, known for its criticism of the
Government's economic plans, was banned. The authorities note that press freedom
is guaranteed under the Constitution and 1986 Press Law and that press-related
offences are tried in an open, specialized Press Court, where journalists enjoy the
right to legal defence.
33. A number of prominent human rights defenders were arrested, charged with
national security offences and convicted disproportionately to heavy sentences and
travel bans. Others, including their family members, have faced intimidation and
harassment. On 23 November 2010, the High Commissioner for Human Rights
publicly expressed concern about the situation of human rights defenders in the
Islamic Republic of Iran and encouraged the Government to fully guarantee freedom
of expression and assembly and to open up greater space for human rights lawyers
and activists. The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders has
sent a large number of communications to the Iranian authorities concerning the
situation of human rights defenders in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
__________________
25 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, "Statement by Ahmad
Zeidabadi, Laureate of the 2011 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize", 3 May
2011. Available from www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/statement_by_
ahmad_zeidabadi_laureate_of_the_2011_unescoguillermo_cano_world_press_freedom_prize.
26 Semi-official news (ISNA), 10 January 2011. Available from www.isna.ir/isna/newsview.aspx?id=
news-1691741&lang=p and www.isna.ir/isna/newsview.aspx?id=news-1677747&lang=p.
27 Ibid., 20 December 2011. Available from www.isna.ir/isna/newsview.aspx?id=news-
1677747&lang=p.
28 Available from www.irna.ir/NewsShow.aspx?NID=30429638.
29 Semi-official news (ISNA), 22 November 2011. Available from http://isna.ir/isna/
newsview.aspx?id=news-1660287.
A/66/361
11-49942 13
34. The case of Nasrin Sotoudeh, a prominent human rights lawyer involved in
defending many high profile cases, received considerable international attention.
Ms. Sotoudeh was arrested on 4 September 2010 and charged with "acting against
national security", not wearing hijab (Islamic dress) during a videotaped message,
"propaganda against the system", and for being a member of the Centre for Human
Rights Defenders, established by Shirin Ebadi, the Nobel Laureate. The case against
her is widely believed to be linked to her work as a human rights defender. On
8 January 2011, she was sentenced to 11 years in jail, and to a 20-year ban on
practising law and leaving the country. In May 2011, the judiciary called for the
cancellation of her lawyer's permit. While confirming Ms. Sotoudeh's sentence, the
authorities note that the judgment is still subject to appeal. On 16 January 2011,
Reza Khandan, the husband of Ms. Sotoudeh, who has publicly campaigned for fair
treatment for his wife, was summoned for questioning by the authorities and
charged with spreading lies and disturbing public opinion. Mr. Khandan was
released after posting $50,000 bail, but remains at risk of further sanctions by the
authorities. In addition to the High Commissioner's public statement, the Deputy
High Commissioner for Human Rights wrote to the Government, highlighting
concerns about the cases of Ms. Sotoudeh and other human rights activists.
35. A new law on the establishment and supervision of non-governmental
organizations is currently under review by the Parliament. The draft bill risks
severely restricting the independence of civil society organizations and impeding the
activities of a wide range of actors, including human rights defenders, women's
rights activists, teachers and trade associations. Under the draft law, prior
permission from the "supreme committee", the creation of which is foreseen under
the bill, would be required for all non-political demonstrations and contacts with
international organizations. The provisions of the bill, as drafted, would unduly
restrict the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly set out in the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Islamic Republic
of Iran is a State party.
36. A number of opposition parties have had their licenses suspended, and some
leaders have reportedly been barred from travelling outside the country. The press
has reportedly been directed not to publish items about opposition leaders, and
requests by such leaders to hold rallies have frequently been turned down.
Opposition leaders Mir Hussein Mossavi and Mehdi Karoubi, who sought
permission from the authorities to stage a rally on 14 February 2011 in solidarity
with the protesters in Egypt, have been under house arrest since mid-February 2011,
and have been prevented from any contact with the outside world.
37. The authorities add that all public gatherings require permits under the law, but
during the past year there were further reports of freedom of assembly being
restricted and excessive force being used against demonstrators. On 14 February
2011, when opposition supporters rallied in Tehran in solidarity with the protesters
in Egypt, security forces were deployed to prevent the rally, triggering clashes that
left at least two persons dead and several others injured. Following the clashes, the
judiciary repeatedly threatened opposition leaders with prosecution for their role in
the political unrest and called for measures to be taken against them. On
18 February 2011, the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed her deep
regret about the deaths of protesters in the Islamic Republic of Iran and her concern
at remarks made by some Iranian parliamentarians calling for the execution of
A/66/361
14 11-49942
opposition leaders. The High Commissioner stressed the importance of dialogue
with political opponents in creating a stable society.
38. According to numerous reports, a number of Ahvazi Arabs, commemorating a
"Day of Rage" on 15 April to mark the anniversary of the demonstrations in Ahvaz
in 2005, were killed and scores were injured during a protest in the south-western
province of Khuzestan. A large number of people, including women, were also
arrested in the lead up to and during the protests, which the authorities argue was an
illegal gathering with the aim of disturbing public order and security. The
communications system, including the Internet, was restricted to impede the flow of
information and security forces were heavily deployed. Live ammunition and tear
gas were reportedly used during the protests, inflicting casualties on protesters,
although the authorities deny that allegation. Furthermore, on 2 April 2011, scores
of Iranian Azerbaijanis, who during a peaceful demonstration had been calling for
the environmental protection of Lake Urmieh, were arrested by security forces. The
authorities argue this was an illegal gathering intended to disturb public order.
Reports were also received of people being prevented from attending funerals and
other religious rituals and gatherings during the period under review. On
29 December 2010, the authorities prevented assemblies marking the deaths that
occurred in 2009 following the presidential elections, and arrested a number of
people. On 2 June 2011, Haleh Sahabi, the daughter of the deceased leader of the
nationalist-religious coalition, Ezzatollah Sahabi, died of a heart attack during her
father's funeral, reportedly following a confrontation with security forces.30
H. Lack of due process rights
39. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Islamic
Republic of Iran is a State party, stipulates due process and fair trial guarantees.
Many fair trial safeguards are also provided for in the State's Constitution and legal
framework. The special procedures mandate holders continued to express grave
concern with regard to the failure to respect the due process rights of detainees.
Concerns were specifically voiced about allegations of the widespread use of torture
and ill-treatment of detainees in detention, the use of solitary confinement, the
detention of individuals without charges, incommunicado detention and the lack of
access to lawyers. On 7 October 2010, a group of special procedures mandate
holders31 issued a communication expressing concern at the heavy sentence handed
down to a journalist, Hussein Derakhshan, who had spent over a year in detention
without charges, including solitary confinement for nine months, and who was
prevented from receiving visits by family and lawyers. Complaints were also
received that confessions obtained through coercive methods during pre-detention
had been admitted in court proceedings, and verdicts had been reportedly issued in
the absence of defence lawyers. Trials were also reportedly delayed due to the
authorities' failure to transport detainees to the courtroom for hearings.
__________________
30 Semi-official news Aftab, 12 June 2011. Available on www.aftabnews.ir/vdcjvhevouqe8vz.fsfu.html
and www.aftabnews.ir/vdcip3azwt1arz2.cbct.html.
31 The Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, the Special Rapporteur on
the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the Special
Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and the Special Rapporteur on torture and
other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
A/66/361
11-49942 15
40. Reports received also suggest prison overcrowding and congestion,
particularly due to the increased numbers of drug-related cases. The Director
General of prisons in Kermanshah disclosed an increase of 29 per cent in the prison
population and stated that due to high density and congestion, a prison with a
capacity of 650 inmates had to accommodate 4,750 inmates.32 The Iranian judiciary
has acknowledged that the conditions in prisons are unsatisfactory and has requested
an increased budget to improve them.33 The authorities note that reforms in the
prison management system have also led to the upgrading of solitary confinement
facilities, which are only used in rare cases.
III. Cooperation with international human rights mechanisms
and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights
A. Establishment of a special procedure mandate by the Human
Rights Council
41. On 24 March 2011, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 16/9 on the
situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, establishing the mandate
of a Special Rapporteur. In the resolution, the Human Rights Council mandated the
Special Rapporteur to report to the Council and the General Assembly and called
upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to cooperate fully with the
mandate holder and to permit access to visit the country as well as provide all
information necessary to allow the fulfilment of the mandate. On 17 June 2011,
Ahmed Shaheed of Maldives was appointed as the Special Rapporteur on the
situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Iranian authorities
have questioned the appointment of the Special Rapporteur as politicized, selective
and unacceptable and warned that the Special Rapporteur will not be allowed to
visit the country.34 On 21 July 2011, the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs was quoted by Iranian media as saying that the appointment of a Special
Rapporteur on the Islamic Republic of Iran was a political and illegal move, and the
Government would not allow the envoy to enter the country under any
circumstances.
B. Cooperation with the United Nations human rights treaty system
42. In addition to the ratification of five major United Nations human rights
treaties35 on 21 September 2010, the Islamic Republic of Iran signed the Optional
__________________
32 Semi-official news (ISNA), 28 December 2010. Available from www.isna.ir/ISNA/
newsview.aspx?id=news-1682497.
33 Semi-official news (IRNA), 9 May 2011. Available from www.irna.ir/NewsShow.aspx?NID=
30377305.
34 Semi-official news Tehran Times. Available from www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=
243356 and www.presstv.ir/detail/186662.html.
35 The Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
A/66/361
16 11-49942
Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of
children in armed conflict.
43. On 4 and 5 August 2010, the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination considered the eighteenth and nineteenth periodic reports of the
Islamic Republic of Iran, which were due in 2006 (CERD/C/IRN/18-19). The
Committee noted the various positive developments that have taken place in the
Islamic Republic of Iran, including the approval of the Law on Citizenry Rights, in
2005, the amendment of the Fourth Development Plan, which allows budget
allocations and a percentage of oil and gas revenues for the development of less
developed provinces, particularly inhabited by disadvantaged ethnic groups, and the
country's active engagement with the international community on human rights
issues, such as its initiative on promoting dialogue among civilizations. The
Committee expressed concerns, however, at reports of racial discrimination in
everyday life and statements of racial discrimination and incitement to hatred by
Government officials. It noted that women of minority origin may be at risk of
facing double discrimination. The Committee noted that the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination had never
been invoked by domestic courts and expressed its concern at reports of
discriminatory treatment of foreign nationals in the Iranian justice system. The
Committee encouraged the Islamic Republic of Iran to consider ratifying those
international human rights treaties that it had not yet ratified.
C. Cooperation with the United Nations special procedures
44. The Islamic Republic of Iran issued a standing invitation to all thematic
special procedures mandate holders in June 2002. In 2003 and 2005, six mandate
holders visited the country, but there have been no visits by any mandate holders
since 2005. In their response to the report, the Iranian authorities noted that they
have been planning to invite two Special Rapporteurs to visit the country in 2012.
45. The Special Rapporteur on torture first requested an invitation in 2005, and
yearly reminders have been sent ever since, most recently in December 2010.
Requests for visits were also made by the Special Rapporteur on the right to food, in
February 2011, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, in
February 2010, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers,
in 2006 (reiterated in her communication reports of both 2009 and 2010), the
Independent Expert on minority issues, in 2008 (who sent a reminder in October
2010), and the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief (who reiterated
his wish to conduct a country visit in a communication report in February 2011). All
the requests remain outstanding.
46. Special procedures mandate holders sent a total of 38 communications to the
Islamic Republic of Iran in 2010, of which 36 were urgent appeals while 2 were
allegation letters. The Iranian authorities responded to 13 communications sent in
2010.
47. The Iranian authorities, in particular the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members
of Parliament, the judiciary and armed forces, reacted strongly to the appointment of
the new Special Rapporteur and warned that the Islamic Republic of Iran will not
grant him access to the country. On 17 July 2011, the Secretary-General of the High
A/66/361
11-49942 17
Council for Human Rights of Iran, Mr. Larijani, described the appointment of the
Special Rapporteur as a unilateral measure that lacks logical meaning.
D. Cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights
48. As highlighted in the Secretary-General's interim report to the Human Rights
Council, on 1 and 2 December 2010, the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights and the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran conducted a judicial
colloquium in Tehran. This event built on ongoing contacts between OHCHR and
the Iranian judiciary since 2007. The High Council for Human Rights of the Islamic
Republic of Iran co-chaired the event.
49. The colloquium was attended by three international experts: Kamal Hossain of
Bangladesh, Walter Kaelin of Switzerland, and Aisha Shujune Muhammad of
Maldives - along with OHCHR staff. Several judges of the Supreme Court, the
Court of Appeals and the Revolutionary Courts, as well as officials from the prison
system and correctional institutions, participated on the Iranian side.
50. The topics of the colloquium were human rights issues related to the
administration of justice, in particular safeguards for persons upon arrest and in
pretrial detention, fair trial and due process rights during the trial phase, and
conditions of imprisonment post-conviction, including the prevention of torture. The
meeting also reviewed relevant experiences and resources with regard to training
and professional development of the judiciary.
51. The discussions among the participants addressed a wide range of issues, with
considerable attention paid to various elements of fair trial procedures in the light of
the main element of general comment No. 32 of the Human Rights Committee on
article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The
discussions also touched on pretrial investigation, arrest procedures, issuance of
warrants, judicial review and supervision of investigations, time limits for
temporary detention, notification and communication with families, access to
lawyers, the role of prosecutors vis-à-vis judges, the right not to be coerced into
making self-incriminatory statements and confessions, the supervision of places of
detention and separation of pretrial detainees from convicted prisoners, prison
conditions, protection needs of women prisoners, and children with women in
detention, as well as judicial training and in-service professional development. The
experts noted the safeguards provided in the State's Constitution, as well as
executive directives since passed as law, but also considerable ambiguity in the laws
and lack of clarity in their implementation.
52. On 24 February 2010, the Islamic Republic of Iran officially invited the High
Commissioner for Human Rights to visit the country, which the High Commissioner
accepted for 2011, but requested that a working-level mission be allowed to visit the
country in advance to prepare for her visit. On 24 January 2011, the Secretary-
General of the High Council for Human Rights wrote to the High Commissioner
inviting such an advance mission, planned at the time of writing of the present
report.
A/66/361
18 11-49942
IV. Conclusions and recommendations
53. Once again, the present report highlights many areas of continuing
concern for human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Secretary-
General has been deeply troubled by reports of increased numbers of
executions, amputations, arbitrary arrest and detention, unfair trials, torture
and ill-treatment and, in particular, the crackdown on human rights activists,
lawyers, journalists and opposition activists.
54. The Secretary-General encourages the Government of the Islamic
Republic of Iran to address the concerns highlighted in the report and the
specific calls for action found in previous resolutions of the General Assembly
and in the universal periodic review process. The Secretary-General notes the
important and constructive role the human rights lawyers and activists play in
protecting human rights and encourages the Government to fully guarantee
freedom of expression and assembly and to open up greater space for their
independent work.
55. With regard to other concerns identified in the report, the Secretary-
General notes that the authorities have taken some positive steps, for instance,
to prevent stoning as a method of execution or to limit the application of the
death penalty to juvenile offenders. The Secretary-General expresses concern,
however, that these measures have not been systematically enforced and cases
of this nature continue to arise. He encourages the Government to revise
national laws, in particular the Penal Code and juvenile justice laws, to ensure
compliance with international human rights standards and to end these forms
of the death penalty and other punishments, which are prohibited under
international law. The Secretary-General calls upon the Islamic Republic of
Iran to institute a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death
penalty.
56. The Secretary-General welcomes the recent signing of the Optional
Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of
children in armed conflict, and calls upon the Government to ratify other
international human rights treaties, in particular the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention
against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment, which remains pending. He also urges the Islamic Republic of Iran
to withdraw the reservations it made upon the signature and ratification of
various human rights treaties, as recommended by the respective treaty bodies.
57. The Secretary-General welcomes the recent efforts of the Islamic Republic
of Iran to update its periodic reporting to the human rights treaty bodies, and
encourages it to act upon the concluding observations made in August 2010 by
the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with respect to
discriminatory practices against women, ethnic and religious minorities and
other minority groups.
58. Although the Government issued a standing invitation to special
procedures mandate holders of the Human Rights Council in 2002, the
Secretary-General regrets that no visit has taken place since 2005. The
Secretary-General particularly encourages the Government to cooperate fully
with the newly appointed Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights
A/66/361
11-49942 19
in the Islamic Republic of Iran and to issue an early invitation for him to visit
the country, as well as provide all necessary information to enable the
fulfilment of the mandate.
59. The Secretary-General remains concerned about the low rate of replies to
the large number of communications sent by the special procedures mandate
holders, alleging very serious human rights violations, and calls upon the
Government to strengthen its collaboration with the Human Rights Council in
this particular area. The Secretary-General underscores the valuable
contribution that special procedures mandates can make to monitoring and
reporting on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well
as facilitating technical assistance in relevant areas. The Secretary-General
looks forward to the proposed visit of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights to the country and urges the authorities to give her unrestricted access
to civil society and persons of concerns and to seize this opportunity for a
substantive dialogue on the concerns raised in the present report.