Human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

1987/55. Human rights situation 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 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, Bearing in mind its resolutions 1982/27 of 11 March 1982, 1983/34 of 8 March 1983 and, in particular, 1984/54 of 14 March 1984, in which the Commission expressed deep concern at the continuing serious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Islamic Republic of Iran and requested the Chairman to appoint a special representative on the human rights situation in that country, Recalling, in particular, its resolution 1986/41 of 12 March 1986, by which it decided to extend the mandate of the special representative for one year and requested him to present an interim report to the General Assembly at its forty-first session on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the situation of minority groups, such as the Baha'is, and a final report to the Commission at its forty-third session, Mindful of resolution 1985/17 of 29 August 1985 of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, in which the Sub-Commission expressed its alarm at the continuing reports of gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Recalling General Assembly resolution 41/159 of 4 December 1986, by which the Assembly decided to continue its examination of the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran and requested the Commission on Human Rights to study carefully the final report of the Special Representative, as well as other information pertaining to the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and to consider further steps for securing effective respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all in that country, Regretting that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has so far provided no comment or information to the Special Representative and has not allowed him to visit the country, Noting with concern that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has also not so far responded to the urgent appeals made by the Special Rapporteur on summary or arbitrary executions and by the Special Rapporteur on torture, Deeply disturbed by the numerous and detailed allegations of grave and extensive human rights violations which the Special Representative reviews in his report (E/CN.4/1987/23), including the list of alleged violations of the right to life referred to in that report, and to which the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has not responded, Taking note of reports of the recent release of a number of persons imprisoned in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including persons detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression and opinion, and expressing the hope that further positive developments will occur,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Special Representative (E/CN.4/1987/23) and the conclusions and recommendations contained therein;

2. Again expresses its deep concern over the numerous and detailed allegations of grave human rights violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran to which the Special Representative refers in his report and, in particular, those related to the right to life, the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the right to liberty and security of person and to freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention, the right to a fair trial, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion and to freedom of expression, and the right of religious minorities to profess and practise their own religion;

3. Endorses the conclusion of the Special Representative that acts continue to occur in the Islamic Republic of Iran which are inconsistent with the provisions of treaties and covenants by which the Government of that country is legally bound;

4. Urges the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to respect and ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in that Covenant;

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

6. Requests the Special Representative to present an interim report to the General Assembly at its forty-second session on the human rights situation in the-Islamic Republic of Iran, including the situation of minority groups, such as the Baha'is, and new elements contained in his report, for example the allegations of violations affecting the medical profession, and a final report to the Commission at its forty-fourth session;

7. Renews its urgent appeal to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to extend its full co-operation to the Special Representative, in particular by responding to his request for information, and by permitting him to visit that country;

8. Requests the Secretary-General to give all necessary assistance to the Special Representative of the Commission;

9. 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 forty-fourth session.

56th meeting
11 March 1987
[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 18 to 5, with
16 abstentions. See chap. XII.]