Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Commission on Human Rights resolution 1993/62

The Commission on Human Rights,

Guided by the principles embodied in the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights,

Reaffirming that all 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 the field,

Recalling its relevant resolutions, including the most recent, resolution 1992/67 of 4 March 1992, as well as those of the General Assembly, including the most recent, resolution 47/146 of 18 December 1992, and those of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, including the most recent, resolution 1992/15 of 27 August 1992,

Noting that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has responded to the Special Representative's request for information concerning allegations of human rights violations in that country but for more than a year has not permitted the Special Representative to visit the country,

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,

Recalling that in its resolution 1992/67 it requested the Special Representative to submit a final report on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Commission at its forty-ninth session,

Noting the Special Representative's assessment of the performance of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding his various recommendations and his view that during 1992 there was no appreciable progress in the Islamic Republic of Iran towards improved compliance with human rights standards in conformity with international instruments (see E/CN.4/1993/41),

Noting that the Sub-Commission, in its resolution 1992/15, condemned the continuing grave violations of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the final report of the Special Representative of the Commission and the observations contained therein;

2. Expresses its deep 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 with regard to the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, namely, the high number of executions, cases of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the standard of the administration of justice, the lack of guarantees of due process of law, discriminatory treatment of certain groups of citizens for reason of their religious beliefs, notably the Baha'is, and restrictions on the freedom of expression, thought, opinion and the press, and that, as noted by the Special Representative, the situation of women leaves much to be desired;

4. Expresses its grave concern at the fact that, contrary to the Special Representative's recommendation, the application of the death penalty has not diminished but has increased;

5. Also expresses its grave concern that there are continuing threats to the life of a citizen of another State which appear to have the support of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran and whose case is mentioned in the report of the Special Representative;

6. Regrets that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has not granted the request of the Special Representative to visit the country for more than a year;

7. Expresses its regret that, as the Special Representative concluded, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not given adequate follow-up to many of the recommendations contained in the previous reports;

8. 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 his observations, in particular as regards the administration of justice and due process of law;

9. Also calls upon 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, enjoy the rights recognized in these instruments;

10. 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;

11. Decides to extend the mandate of the Special Representative, as contained in Commission resolution 1984/54 of 14 March 1984, for a further year;

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

13. Requests the Special Representative to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its forty-eighth session on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the situation of minority groups, such as the Baha'is, and to report to the Commission at its fiftieth session;

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

15. Decides to continue its consideration of the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a matter of priority, at its fiftieth session.

65th meeting
10 March 1993
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 23 to 11,
with 14 abstentions.]

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