The United Nations General Assembly has voted to express "serious concern" about a long list of human rights abuses in Iran and to call on Iranian authorities to ensure full respect for such rights.
The resolution was adopted on December 19 by a vote of 72-50, with 55 abstentions, in the 192-country assembly.
Before the vote, Iranian diplomats unsuccessfully tried to block the resolution.
The resolution faults Iranian authorities for "harassment, intimidation, and persecution" of human rights advocates, political opponents, religious dissenters, journalists, parliamentarians, students, academics, Internet bloggers, and labor union members.
It criticizes Iran's justice system, which it says has "persistently failed" to meet international standards, and expresses concern over the use of torture and cruel or degrading punishment such as flogging and amputations.
It also decries violence and discrimination against women and girls in Iran, and discrimination and human rights violations against ethnic and religious minorities.
Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
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