1994/73. Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran

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 1993/62 of 8 March 1993, as well as those of the General Assembly, including the most recent, resolution 48/145 of 20 December 1993, and those of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, including the most recent, resolution 1993/14 of 20 August 1993,

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 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,

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 1993/62, it requested the Special Representative to submit a report on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Commission at its fiftieth session,

Noting the observation of the Special Representative that there is enough evidence to show that it is entirely proper for the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran to remain under international scrutiny,

Noting also that the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, in its resolution 1993/74 of 10 March 1993 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 final report of the Special Representative of the Commission and the observations contained therein (E/CN.4/1994/50);

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 absence of guarantees of due process of law, discriminatory treatment of certain groups of citizens for reason of their religious beliefs, notably the Baha'is, whose existence as a viable religious community in the Islamic Republic of Iran is threatened, as well as the ill-treatment of certain Christians and restrictions on the freedoms of expression, thought, opinion and the press, and that, as noted by the Special Representative, there is continued discrimination against women;

4. Expresses its grave concern at continued use of the death penalty, which the Special Representative had described as excessive;

5. Also expresses its grave concern that there are continuing threats to the life of Mr. Salman Rushdie, whose case is mentioned in the report of the Special Representative, as well as to individuals associated with his work, which 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 in order to enable 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 his observations, in particular as regards the administration of justice and due process of law;

10. 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;

11. 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;

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

13. Calls upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to cooperate fully with the Special Representative, including allowing him to make another visit to the country;

14. Requests the Special Representative to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its forty-ninth 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 fifty-first session;

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

16. 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 fifty-first session.

65th meeting
9 March 1994
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 22 to 11,
with 19 abstentions. See chap. XII. E/CN.4/1994/132]

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