Washington -- The heads of the U.S. delegation to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights on April 23 released a statement applauding the Commission's approval of the EU-sponsored resolution on Iran. The resolution was passed by a vote of 23 to 16 with 14 abstentions.

"The resolution highlights specific concerns of the international community about Iranian human rights practices, as well as noting progress the Iranian government has made in addressing some of these concerns," said Harold Hongju Koh, Assistant Secretary of State For Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, and Nancy Rubin, U.S. Ambassador to the UNCHR.

"Most importantly, by this vote, the members of the Commission have renewed the mandate of the UN Special Representative for human rights in Iran," they said.

Koh and Rubin vowed to "continue to speak out against human rights violations in Iran" and "to work within the UN to maintain international attention on Iran's human rights record and work closely with allies who are in a position to raise these issues directly with Iranian officials."

Following is the text of the statement by Koh and Rubin:

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STATEMENT BY
HAROLD HONGJU KOH, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR
AND
NANCY RUBIN, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNCHR

April 23, 1999

U.S. RESPONSE TO DECISION OF UNCHR TO PASS IRAN RESOLUTION

The United States is pleased to note the UN Commission on Human Rights decision to approve the EU-sponsored resolution on Iran. The resolution highlights specific concerns of the international community about Iranian human rights practices, as well as noting progress the Iranian government has made in addressing some of these concerns.

Most importantly, by this vote, the members of the Commission have renewed the mandate of the UN Special Representative for human rights in Iran. By so doing, the Commission has recognized the value of the special representative's work and of his ongoing dialogue with the Iranian government and others on the human rights situation in Iran. We urge the Iranian government to show good faith in its relationship with the Commission and to cooperate fully with the Special Representative.

We call on the Iranian government, as well, to address the continuing human rights concerns of the international community, including poor administration of justice; protection of those who exercise their right to free speech and thought; discrimination against women, and ethnic and religious discrimination, such as the ongoing persecution of Baha'i, which President Clinton condemned earlier this week.

We will continue to speak out against human rights violations in Iran. We will work within the UN to maintain international attention on Iran's human rights record and work closely with allies who are in a position to raise these issues directly with Iranian officials.

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