Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran


General Assembly resolution 1994/202

The General Assembly,

Guided by the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Resolution 217 A (III), and the International Covenants on Human Rights, Resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex;

Reaffirming that all Member States have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms and to fulfil the obligations they have undertaken under the various international instruments in this field,

Recalling its relevant resolutions, including the most recent, resolution 48/145 of 20 December 1993, as well as those of the Commission on Human Rights, including the most recent, resolution 1994/73 of 9 March 1994, See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1994, Supplement No. 4 and corrigendum (E/1994/24 and Corr.1), chap. II, sect. A, and those of the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, including the most recent, resolution 1994/16 of 25 August 1994, See E/CN.4/1995/2-E/CN.4/Sub.2/1994/56, chap. II, sect. A;

Noting that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has responded to the request of the Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights for information concerning allegations of human rights violations in that country, but that it did not allow him to pay a fourth visit to the country so that he might obtain direct and first-hand information on the current human rights situation there,

Reaffirming that Governments are accountable for assassinations and attacks by their agents against persons on the territory of another State, as well as for the incitement, approval or wilful condoning of such acts,

Noting the observation of the Special Representative that continued international scrutiny of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Islamic Republic of Iran is warranted and that the subject should remain on the agenda of the General Assembly,

Noting also that the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, in its resolution 1994/16, condemned the continuing flagrant violations of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran,

Noting further the concluding observations of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Human Rights Committee and the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the interim report of the Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights, A/49/514, annex, see also A/49/514/Add.1 and 2, and the considerations and observations contained therein;

2. Expresses its concern at continuing reports of violations of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran;

3. Expresses its concern more specifically at the main criticisms of the Special Representative in his recent reports with regard to the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, namely, the continued high number of executions, cases of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, a failure to meet international standards with regard to the administration of justice, the absence of guarantees of due process of law, the discriminatory treatment of minorities by reason of their religious beliefs, notably the Baha'is, whose existence as a viable religious community is threatened, lack of adequate protection for the Christian minorities, some of whom have recently been the target of intimidations and assassinations, restrictions on the freedom of expression, thought, opinion and the press, and, as noted by the Special Representative, continued widespread discrimination against women;

4. Expresses its grave concern at the continued widespread use of the death penalty, especially where its use is in violation of the relevant provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rightsm, Resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex;

5. Also expresses its grave concern that there are continuing threats to the life of Mr. Salman Rushdie, as well as to individuals associated with his work, which appear to have the support of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran;

6. Urges the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to refrain from activities such as those mentioned in the report of the Special Representative against members of the Iranian opposition living abroad and to cooperate wholeheartedly with the authorities of other countries in investigating and punishing offences reported by them;

7. Regrets that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has still not permitted the Special Representative to visit the country and thus has not enabled him fully to discharge his mandate by according him full cooperation;

8. Urges the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to implement existing agreements with international humanitarian organizations;

9. Calls upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to intensify its efforts to investigate and rectify the human rights issues raised by the Special Representative in sections IV and V of his report, in particular as regards the administration of justice and due process of law;

10. Urges the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to carry out thorough, careful and impartial investigations into the assassination cases of the three Christian ministers mentioned in the report of the Special Representative;

11. Also urges the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to comply with international instruments on human rights, in particular the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Islamic Republic of Iran is a party, and to ensure that all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction, including religious groups and other persons belonging to minorities, enjoy the rights recognized in those instruments;

12. Endorses the view of the Special Representative that the international monitoring of the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran should be continued;

13. Calls upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to cooperate fully with the Special Representative;

14. Requests the Secretary-General to give all necessary assistance to the Special Representative;

15. Decides to continue the examination of the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the situation of minority groups, such as the Baha'is, during its fiftieth session under the item entitled "Human rights questions" in the light of additional elements provided by the Commission on Human Rights and the Economic and Social Council.

94th plenary meeting
23 December 1994

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