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Iran rejects UN

condemnation of

HRs violations

TEHRAN: Iran rejected late Sunday a resolution by a UN body condemning Iranian human rights violations for the 35th time since 1981 and calling into question the "deteriorating situation" in the Islamic Republic.

The Iranian news agency IRNA quoted foreign ministry spokesman Mahmud Mohammadi as saying that the resolution issued by a sub-committee of the UN Human Rights Commission last Thursday in Genvea "deliberately repeats baseless accusations by terrorist groups, rather than appreciating the excellent conditions enjoyed by minorities in Iran.

The resolution expressed deep concern over "extensive and continuing human rights violations by the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including arbitrary and summary executions, torture and inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment....unexplained disappearance...disregard for freedom of expression and freedom of religion."

An "increase in public hangings and stoning to death" and "discrimination against women" also evoked the committee's concern.

It was particularly worried over "peaceful demonstrations" in April against price hikes which resulted in the "killing or wounding of many civilians." Hundreds of people were arrested and their fate was unknown, the resolution said.

It called on Iran to stop "state-sponsored terrorism against Iranians living abroad and the nationals of other states" and to "comply with all current international norms in the field of human rights."

But Mohammadi said the resolution went beyond the framework regulating human rights in trying to exploit international hostility towards Iran, and he accused the sub-commission of not conforming to the rules governing UN bodies.-AFP