In Draft Resolution, United Nations Rebukes Iran for Rights Violations Since Election

          
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          DECEMBER 16
          WATCH TRAILER
          November 21, 2009
          By NEIL MaeFARQUHAR
          In Draft Resolution, United Nations Rebukes Iran for Rights
          Violations Since Election
          UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations criticized han. on Friday for numerous human rights abuses in
          the wake of the disputed presidential election in June, including the arrests, intimidation and mass trials of
          members of the political opposition.
          A draft resolution detailing the criticism was approved by a vote of 74 to 48, with 59 countries abstaining.
          Although a resolution rebuking Iran for domestic oppression has been an annual event for about 15 years,
          the latest version expressed particular concern about the “rise in human rights violations” after the election.
          In Iran, the fallout from the election protests continued, with more opposition figures sentenced to prison
          terms. A nationwide campaign of arrests was reported by student Web sites, with the government
          apparently focusing on student leaders before protests expected on Dec. 7, known as Student Day.
          The violations listed in the United Nations' draft resolution included the death and injury of opposition
          members and other citizens trying to exercise their right to freedom of expression; the use of violence and
          intimidation by the government-run Basij militia forces; the abuse of prisoners, including rape and torture
          as well as forced confessions; and severe restrictions on media coverage of the events.
          The resolution also singled out the arrests of foreign embassy employees, which it called inconsistent with
          international agreements.
          The Iranian ambassador, Mohammad Khazaee, called the resolution politically motivated. He lashed out at
          the human rights record of Canada, the main sponsor of the resolution, and defended Iran's performance.
          “The election was another display of the democratic nature and openness of the political system,” he said.
          A number of countries said they had voted against the measure or abstained because they did not think the
          General Assembly should be the venue for criticizing individual countries. Many diplomats noted in their
          speeches that they were concerned about human rights issues in Iran after the election .
          The measure was approved Friday in the special committee of all 192 United Nations members that
          forwards draft resolutions on human rights issues to the General Assembly, virtually assuring its passage by
          the main body.
          Meanwhile in Iran, Ali Behzadiyan-Nejad, a political activist whose uncle was the campaign manager for
          the opposition presidential candidate Mir Hussein Moussavi , was sentenced to six years in prison, his
          12/7/2009 11:56 AM
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          In Draft Resolution, Uiñted Nations Rebukes Iran for Rights Violations Sin,. lttp://www. tinncom/2OO9/11/21/world/nfldleeast/21nafions.ltil?_...
          lawyer reported. He had been charged with endangering national security, spreading propaganda against
          the government and “disturbing the public order.”
          On Wednesday, Iran's judiciary issued verdicts for more than 80 people charged during the post-election
          protests. Most of the sentences were prison terms and lashings, but they included five death sentences
          against unidentified individuals convicted of carrying out what the government called terrorist attacks.
          Among those sentenced was Abdullah Momeni, the spokesman for a reformist student group, who received
          eight years in prison.
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          2of2 12/7/2009 11:56AM