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 pertinent resolutions, as well as the resolutions of the Commission on Human Rights and the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities,

Taking note, in particular, of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1988/69 of 10 March 1988, in which the Commission decided to extend the mandate of its Special Representative for one year and requested him to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its forty-third 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 submit a final report to the Commission at its forty-fifth session,

Welcoming the recent cease-fire as a positive development that should contribute to a situation in which human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully enjoyed,

Taking note of the Special Representative's view that the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran continued, during the period under consideration, to indicate its willingness to increase gradually its co-operation with the competent United Nations organs,

Recognizing as a positive development the undertaking by the Iranian authorities to provide a detailed response to allegations of violations of human rights,

Noting, nevertheless, that a detailed response to individual allegations brought to the attention of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran by the Special Representative has yet to be received,

Regretting that, notwithstanding the indication of a greater willingness to co-operate with the Special Representative, a state of full co-operation has yet to be achieved,

Noting the recent contacts between the Special Representative and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, which it is hoped will lead to a state of full co-operation between the Special Representative and that Government, including a visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran, so that he can fulfil his mandate,

Noting that the Baha'is in the Islamic Republic of Iran continue to be subjected to various forms of harassment and discrimination, although there are indications that the intensity of the campaign of persecution against the Baha'is has diminished somewhat in recent months and that a number of them have been released from prison,

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

2.         Once again urges the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to extend its full co-operation to the Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights and, in particular, to permit him to visit that country;

3.         Calls upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to give immediate effect to its undertaking to provide detailed information concerning the allegations of human rights violations that have been brought to its attention;

4.         Expresses once more its deep concern about the numerous and detailed allegations of grave human rights violations in the Islamic Republic of Iran to which the Special Representative has referred in his report, namely, 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, the right to a fair trial and the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion;

5.         Expresses its grave concern that, although the Special Representative observes that the number of alleged violations of the right to life continued to decrease during 1987, the information available to him indicates that there was a renewed wave of executions in the period July-September 1988 whereby a large number of persons died because of their political convictions;

6.         Expresses its deep concern at allegations that ill-treatment and torture, both physical and psychological, continued to be common practice in Iranian prisons, especially during interrogation but also immediately after arrest and before and after the final verdict;

7.         Expresses its deep concern also at the existence of extremely summary, informal and irregular proceedings, failure to inform defendants of specific accusations against them, lack of legal counsel, absence of an appropriate instance for appeal and other irregularities that contravene international standards on fair trial;

8.         Shares the opinion of the Special Representative regarding the importance of prompt investigation into all allegations of irregularities in the treatment of political prisoners and other persons in custody, as well as the necessity of adequate redress for those whose human rights have been violated;

9.         Welcomes the intention of the Special Representative to consider in his report to the Commission on Human Rights at its forty-fifth session several issues pertaining to the legal system applicable in the Islamic Republic of Iran;

10.       Endorses the conclusion of the Special Representative that acts continue to occur in the Islamic Republic of Iran that are inconsistent with the provisions of international instruments to which that country is bound and that the persistence of alleged violations of human rights continues to justify continuing international concern and continued monitoring by the United Nations of the situation in that country;

11.       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 the rights recognized in that Covenant to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction;

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

13.       Decides to keep under consideration the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the situation of minority groups such as the Baha'is, during its forty-fourth session in order to re-examine it in the light of additional elements provided by the Commission on Human Rights and the Economic and Social Council..