For their part, several European countries have drafted a resolution which condemns some aspects of the crimes committed by the theocratic regime ruling Iran, but welcomes a number of bogus developments such as the "political will to move the Iranian society to a more tolerant and peaceful state."
Mr. Mohammad Mohaddessin, NCR's Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, described these paragraphs of the draft resolution as extremely fallacious, contradictory and unrealistic. The interim report of the Special Representative underlined that the situation of human rights has deteriorated in the past six months, he said, adding that such concessions would only assure the clerical regime of the world community's indifference towards human rights abuses in Iran.
He added: This compromising draft has been prepared despite the Special Representative's assertion in his speech on Friday at the General Assembly that towards the end of the summer there began to appear some worrisome signs that conditions were slipping backwards. He spoke of denial of access of those arrested to lawyers, their personal abuse while in detention, and in some cases disappearance of the individual concerned.
Paragraph two of the draft resolution points to "the elimination of arbitrary arrests, detentions and attempts to reform the legal and penitentiary system, including the closure of detention centers outside the national prison system, and bringing it in line with international human rights standards in this field" as examples of "respect for the rule of law." Nothing could not be further from reality. All reports attest to the fact that arbitrary arrests and detentions in secret and extra legal locations were stepped up in recent months and included even several leaders of ruling clique's rival faction.
Whereas paragraph three speaks of "governmental efforts to make progress in the area of freedom of expression," it contains a contradictory statement of concern over "widely reported cases of harassment and persecution of persons, including writers and members of the press."
During Khatami's tenure, only publications controlled by those affiliated with the ruling factions and Intelligence Ministry have been granted publication permits. A considerable number of them, however, have been closed down and their directors and editors arrested and detained.
Paragraph four notes "a more positive approach... with regard to freedom of assembly." Since Khatami took office, there has not been a single case where an opposition group received permission to freely stage a meeting or gathering.
Paragraph five takes note of "the increasing focus of the Islamic Human Rights Commission on the human rights situation in Iran." This body, however, is part of the regime's Judiciary. The head of the Judiciary Mohammad Yazdi also heads the Commission and its board of directors consist of senior officials directly involved in the execution and torture of political prisoners.
Paragraph six welcomes "the assurances given by the Government of the IRI that is has no intention to take any action whatsoever to threaten the life of Salman Rushdie and those associated with his work." The mullahs' Foreign Minister, to whom such assurances are attributed to, told reporters upon returning to Tehran after his meeting with the British Foreign Secretary that his government's positions had not changed whatsoever compared to its previous positions. The 15th of Khordad Foundation subsequently increased the bounty on Rushdie's head from 2.5 to 3.1 million dollars.
Paragraph nine welcomes "statements made by the government.. about the need to review laws and attitudes which discriminate against women." This is not true. Quite to the contrary, the clerical regime added several new bills to its previous laws against women. Just a few days ago, new legislation was passed to segregate medical services, seriously depriving Iranian women of such services. The Special Representative has reiterated that there has been no changes in the situation of women.
NCR's Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman demanded that paragraphs 2, 4 and 5 and the first parts of paragraphs 1, 3, 6, and 9 of the draft resolution be deleted. He said: "Similar language in the April 1998 UNHRC resolution and expressions of unfounded Ôhopes' regarding the Ôpositive positions' of the mullahs' regime are to blame for the deteriorating human rights situation and stepped up repression in Iran."
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
November 10, 1998
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