Canada welcomes the UN resolution on the situation of human rights in Iran

The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today welcomed the adoption, by the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran; 85 member states voted in favour of the resolution.

Presented by Canada and 41 co-sponsors at the UN General Assembly, the Iran resolution reiterates the international community’s concerns about Iran’s poor human rights record and seeks to support its improvement. Canada collaborated with a cross-regional group of countries to ensure strong support of the resolution.

The human rights situation in Iran remains serious. Persistent and widespread violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms continue to occur, with a high number of executions (including of minors) and restrictions on the rights of women and minorities (including faith communities) and on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, as well as disregard for the rule of law and due process.

Through the adoption of this resolution, the international community calls on Iran to take concrete actions, both in law and in practice, to fully respect its human rights obligations.