AJC Applauds Renewal of UN's Iran Human Rights Monitor

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Mar 24, 2016, 05:18 ET

NEW YORK, March 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC welcomes UN Human Rights Council action extending scrutiny of persistent human rights violations in Iran. A council resolution, adopted by a vote of 20 to 15, with 11 abstentions, renewed the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran.

"The Special Rapporteur is an essential tool to address the Iranian government's egregious human rights violations," said AJC Chief Executive Officer David Harris. "Despite the relentless efforts of the Iranian regime and its allies to defeat the measure, the Human Rights Council has demonstrated that the safety of the Iranian people is a priority concern of the international community."

Iran's human rights violations remain extensive and ongoing, according to reports of Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Abuses include discrimination against women and minority groups, arrests and detention of human rights activists and journalists, and a record number of executions following unfair trials.

AJC had called on Permanent Representatives to the UN to stand with the people of Iran and to support renewal of the Special Rapporteur's mandate.

AJC's Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights continues to call for greater protection of human rights in Iran and for the release of Iranian political prisoners.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee