Us Confident Of Support For Special Un Human Rights Investigator On Iran

Washington’s ambassador to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva

GENEVA — U.S. diplomats say they are confident of getting the necessary support to create a special United Nations investigator for the human rights situation in Iran.

Washington’s ambassador to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, says she hopes and expects a resolution to get the necessary votes Thursday.

It would be the first time in years that a new position for a country-specific investigator has been created. Many of the council’s 47 member states oppose such posts as an unnecessary intrusion into their internal affairs. Iran is not a member.

Diplomats and observers say the Human Rights Council gained fresh legitimacy last month when it voted for the first time to ostracize one of its members — Libya — because of the regime’s abuse of its people.

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