WANA (May 23) – Iran’s representative at the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice stated that “unjust sanctions are a serious barrier to collective cooperation in combating crimes at the international level”.

 

Abbas Bagherpour, head of the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the annual session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Vienna, announced the ratification of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Convention) by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

 

He stated: “Given the increasingly transnational and complex nature of crimes, it is evident that no country can tackle them alone. Effective crime prevention and combat can only be ensured through the strengthening of genuine collective responses via international cooperation.”

 

Bagherpour added: “In the process of fighting crime, we must take into account the fundamental challenges faced by member states, especially developing countries. In this regard, the imposition of unilateral coercive measures and unjust sanctions—which are inherently contrary to international law—continues to be a serious obstacle to collective cooperation in combating crimes at the international level.

 

On the other hand, promoting, facilitating, and supporting technical assistance, technology transfer, financial and material support, and training play an important role in preventing and combating crimes. Accordingly, restrictions imposed on some developing countries must be lifted, and discrimination and politicization must be avoided.”

 

The Director General for International Law at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while welcoming the adoption of the UN Convention on Cybercrime as a fundamental step toward creating a comprehensive legal global framework for cooperation and combating cybercrime, stated:

 

“This will be achieved, among other things, through ensuring the collection and sharing of cybercrime-related evidence electronically. In our view, the balanced and effective implementation of this convention, while observing the fundamental principles of international law, can assist all countries in strengthening international cooperation to prevent and combat the misuse of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes.”

 

Regarding the fight against terrorism, Iran’s representative emphasized: “All countries are obliged to combat this global threat and must refrain from encouraging terrorism or showing tolerance or providing refuge to terrorists.”

 

“However, in clear contradiction with the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, a specific European country continues to provide a safe haven to the terrorist cult of the MEK (Monafeqin) for its own short-sighted but futile political purposes,” he continued.

 

Bagherpour stated: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has played a decisive role in combating terrorism, including by assisting affected countries.”

 

He added: “Nevertheless, an unwavering will by the international community to eradicate terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is essential—especially considering the heinous terrorist attacks that have shamelessly targeted government officials, particularly the martyred Commander General Qassem Soleimani, who was at the forefront of the fight against terrorism, as well as attacks against our scientists.”

 

In conclusion, Iran’s representative added: “If we do not mention the seven decades of unjust occupation in this meeting, our work will be incomplete. This unjust occupation, during which the Israeli regime has blatantly and systematically violated international law, continues to commit war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide against the innocent people of Palestine in Gaza and elsewhere.”

 

“The international community and United Nations member states must hold this regime accountable and bring the perpetrators of these criminal actions to justice.”