WANA (Jul 02) – “We will stand firm against the aggression of the Zionist regime and will not wait for any foreign entity or country to defend our people and sovereignty,” declared Iran’s ambassador to the UN in Geneva on Tuesday, condemning recent Israeli and US strikes that killed dozens of civilians, including women and children, and targeted Iran’s residential areas, medical facilities, and nuclear sites in clear violation of international law.

 

Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva strongly condemned the recent military attacks by Israel and the United States on Iranian territory, calling them a clear violation of fundamental principles of international law and human rights.

 

Speaking on Tuesday during the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), while presenting Iran’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) outcome, Ambassador Ali Bahreini highlighted the recent strikes that resulted in the deaths of many Iranian citizens, including dozens of women and children.

 

“The Israeli occupying regime, with direct support from the United States, has unlawfully targeted Iran’s civilian infrastructure, medical centers, residential areas, and even peaceful nuclear facilities,” Bahreini stated.

 

He criticized the silence and complicity of some Western countries with Israel, describing it as a “blatant normative failure.” He declared that Iran rejects the human rights recommendations made by these countries due to their “hypocrisy.”

 

Reiterating Iran’s inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Bahreini asserted, “We will stand firm against the aggression of the Zionist regime and will not wait for any foreign entity or country to defend our people and sovereignty.”

 

The Iranian envoy expressed appreciation for Human Rights Council members who, in line with international law, issued statements condemning the illegal actions of the United States and Israel and voiced support for Iran.

 

Criticizing the Council’s ineffectiveness in addressing Israeli crimes in Palestine and the region, Bahreini proposed the formation of “a commission to examine the role of states supporting Israel in committing war crimes.”

 

He also urged the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to adopt a clear and unequivocal stance condemning the recent attacks on Iran and to hold both the United States and Israel accountable for their aggression, endangering civilians, and threatening international peace and security.

 

In the second part of his remarks, Ambassador Bahreini reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, despite existing challenges. He highlighted legal and judicial reforms in Iran, including:

  • The adoption of new regulations in the Prison Organization aligned with international standards
  • The Judicial Transformation and Excellence Document (2024)
  • The Judicial Security Document (2020)
  • Guidelines for supporting the rights of persons with disabilities and the elderly in judicial processes
  • Procedures to accelerate and organize the litigation process.

 

Regarding the rights of women, Bahreini stated that Iran views women as part of the country’s human, intellectual, and professional capital, playing a key role in national development and sustainable progress. He noted that Chapter 16 of the Seventh National Development Plan is dedicated specifically to women’s rights.

 

On children’s rights, he reported that special measures over the past four years have reduced the under-five mortality rate from 14.2 per thousand in 2019 to 13 in 2023. Access to education for girls, he added, has increased by 220% since the Islamic Revolution.

 

Regarding religious minorities, Bahreini asserted that all Iranian citizens enjoy civil, political, and social rights without discrimination. Their participation in local councils and the national parliament forms an integral part of Iran’s political structure.

 

The envoy emphasized that Iran remains committed to human rights promotion while under “unjust and illegal unilateral sanctions imposed by Western countries,” which he described as a serious obstacle to human rights advancement.

 

Addressing questions on the implementation of the death penalty in Iran, Bahreini explained that it is applied only for “the most serious crimes,” including murder, terrorism, and large-scale armed drug trafficking. He underlined that Iran is on the frontlines of combating narcotics trafficking, with nearly 12,000 law enforcement personnel having lost their lives in this fight. He added that recent amendments to the country’s anti-narcotics law have led to a significant reduction in death penalty sentences related to drug crimes.