The Australian Baha’i Community has welcomed Australian Government support for a UN Human Rights Council resolution to appoint a human rights investigator for Iran.
For the first time since it was created five years ago, the Council has voted to adopt a resolution to appoint a “special rapporteur” to examine Iran’s compliance with international human rights standards.
The resolution, adopted yesterday, also called on Iran to allow that investigator to visit the country.
Australia was one of 52 co-sponsors of the resolution from all regions of the world.
Australian Baha’i Community spokesperson Tessa Scrine said the move was warranted given Iran’s appalling human rights record.
“Iran is now one of the worst violators of human rights in the world today,” Ms Scrine said.
“We welcome Australia’s support for the resolution and its forthright statement on human rights in Iran to the Council,” she said.
In its statement of 14 March 2011, Australia said:
“Australia is deeply concerned about human rights in Iran, including the use of violence, intimidation and arbitrary arrest of human rights defenders and political activists, violation of political and media freedoms, use of the death penalty and the treatment of minorities, including Baha’is.
“We urge Iran to stay all executions, respect and guarantee the human rights of all detainees, ensure all trials are conducted fairly and transparently, and abide by its international human rights obligations.”
Ms Scrine said the Australian Baha’i Community was extremely concerned about the severe abuse of the human rights of Baha’is and others in Iran.
“We are pleased that UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a report last week expressed concern about the persecution of minority groups in Iran and specifically drew attention to the persecution of Baha’is,” Ms Scrine said.
“Mr Ban referred to recent arrests of Baha’is as well as to the trial of seven Baha’i leaders and their sentencing to long prison terms.
“He also pointed out that the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights had said that the charges brought against the Baha’i leaders appeared to be a violation of their internationally recognised right to freedom of religion and belief and of expression and association.”
For a full report on the UN Human Rights Council resolution, visit the Baha’i World News Service.