The United Nations Human Rights Council appointed Ahmed Shaheed, former Maldives Foreign Minister, as the new special human rights Rapporteur to Iran on June 17. One day after this announcement the Iranian parliament’s (Maljles) committee on human rights declared that Shaheed will not be allowed to visit the country.
According to the UN Human Rights Council, Ahmed Shaheed is responsible for monitoring the human rights situation in Iran, visiting the country, and preparing a report about the overall situation of human rights. Shaheed will present his findings to the UN Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly in September.
Mohammad Karim Abedi, Deputy Chairperson of the parliament’s Human Rights Committee, stated that the “permission will not be granted to this person [Ahmed Shaheed] to enter the country.” Reporting on the Iranian parliament’s Human Rights Committee’s session, Abedi added “America, England, and the Zionist regime (Israel) are the biggest violators of human rights in the world. The UN Human Rights Council should monitor the situation in those countries rather than Iran.”
According to Amnesty International, two years after the disputed election of June 12, 2009, the human rights situation in Iran remains dire. Security forces continue to violently crack down on peaceful protesters and hundreds of opposition activists, journalists, and politicians remain in prison.
Zohreh Elahian, the head of the parliament’s Human Rights Committee, indicated that UN Human Rights Council’s resolution against Iran is “fundamentally wrong” and has been politically motivated. In a paradoxical statement, reported by Aftab News, Elahian declared that, “We will accept the UN special rapporteurs. Interaction and cooperation is important to us, however, when the Special Rapporteur is chosen based on political grudges, we are unable to recognize him.” Elahian made the remarks during a speech at the open session of the parliament on June 19.
Many activists in Iran have declared their support for this appointment. According to HRANA news, an independent website for human rights activists in Iran, “The Special Rapporteur will facilitate sending reports of human rights abuse cases, and also will help impose political pressures from the international community on the Islamic Republic to act according to human rights standards.”
In a press statement, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lauded the UN Human Rights Council by stating that, “Independent investigation and reporting by the Special Rapporteur will help the international community responsibly address the serious human rights abuses in Iran. It will also give voice to the many Iranians who long not only for reform, but for their government to respect their most basic of human rights and freedoms.”
The United States worked closely with Sweden on drafting the initial proposal submitted to the UN Human Rights Council. Roberto Toscano, Italy’s former Ambassador to Iran, and Amin Medani, Sudanese human rights, attorney were among the finalists for the position of Special Rapporteur on Iran.
The UN Human Rights Council assumed appointing a Muslim as the Rapporteur would secure Iran’s acceptance. But this is not the case. Commenting on Shaheed’s faith, Elahian stated “Iran has respect for the appointed rapporteur, who is a Muslim, so Iran is ready to welcome him as a tourist.”
Source : Inside of Iran