Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

The General Assembly,

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 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 resolution 44/163 of 15 December 1989, and taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1990/79 of 7 March 1990,

Mindful of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1990/76 of 7 March 1990, entitled "Co-operation with representatives of United Nations human rights bodies" and Economic and Social Council resolution 1990/48 of 25 May 1990,

Welcoming the two visits paid by the Special Representative of the Commission to the Islamic Republic of Iran during the course of 1990 and the two reports presented following those visits, which have provided useful information and clarified a number of allegations about the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran,

Noting the findings of the Special Representative on the situation of the Baha'is in the Islamic Republic of Iran,

1.         Takes note with appreciation of the reports submitted by the Special Representative in 1990, including the observations contained therein, and notes with concern the allegations of violations of human rights contained in those reports;

2.         Calls upon the Islamic Republic of Iran to intensify its efforts to investigate and rectify the human rights issues raised by the Special Representative, in particular as regards the administration of justice and due process of law in order to comply with international instruments on human rights, including 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;

3.         Welcomes the decision of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to invite the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit prisons in the country and urges the competent officials to implement this decision as soon as possible by concluding an agreement in accordance with standard procedures of the Committee;

4.         Notes that the co-operation of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the Special Representative has improved and has included replies by the Government to allegations that have been transmitted to it, and urges the Government to reply in detail to all allegations referred to by the Special Representative in his reports;

5.         Requests the Secretary-General to respond favourably, in accordance with the normal practices of the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat, to requests for technical assistance from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran;

6.         Also requests the Secretary-General to give the Special Representative all the necessary assistance to carry out his mandate;

7.         Notes that the Commission on Human Rights will consider the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran at its forty-seventh session and will refer the question, as appropriate, to the General Assembly at its forty-sixth session.