FM: Human Rights Resolution Illegitimate, Politically Motivated

April 25, 1999 - 0:0
TEHRAN -- Iran on Saturday deplored as politically motivated the recent resolution of the European Union on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, an IRNA report said. Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Hamid-Reza Asefi, stressed that the Friday resolution of the EU on Iran's human rights record is another proof that the examination process of human rights situation in different countries is a political move.

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights, holding its annual session in Geneva Friday, passed a EU proposed motion expressing concern about what it called as continuing abuses of human rights in Iran. The resolution with pre-determined political objectives has failed to reflect the realities of the dynamic society of the Islamic Republic of Iran and, as before, is seeking to raise groundless allegations against Iran. Furthermore, he expressed pleasure with the opposition of many countries including the member states of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and several independent developing countries to the resolution.

Asefi said these countries opposed the adoption of the resolution and welcomed the proposal to end monitoring of human rights conditions in Iran. Asefi said traditional founders of the resolution overtly and officially resorted to all political and economic leverage to attract other countries' votes against Iran. Iran relying on its Islamic and cultural values tries to promote human rights of its citizens and considers the resolution as illegitimate, he said adding Iran maintains that the resolution has no basis for cooperation.

The Islamic Republic of Iran yesterday also, condemned the Zionist regime's threatening to close some of Palestinan offices in Bait-ul-Moqaddas. Underlining the Islamic Republic's official recognition of the Palestinian right on sovereignty in Bait-ul-Moqaddas, Asefi condemned the policies and moves of the Zionist regime in judaizing the city and removing its Islamic identity. Asefi said that such moves would undermine the regional security and exacerbate the crisis in the region.

He further called the Zionist regime the main source of crisis in the region, and stressed the necessity to counter the regime's aggressive policies by the Muslim countries across the world. According to another IRNA report, Asefi voiced the Islamic Republic's concerns about the Afghanistan crisis. Expressing regret over the Taleban's reluctance on continuing the negotiations with United Islamic Front, Asefi said that military solution to the plight would certainly bear not fruit.

He stressed the importance of resuming talks between the warring sides to form a broad-based government. Asefi, further voiced Iran's support for the United Nations' peace plans and the resolutions of the UN Security Council and 6+2 meeting.