West puts Iran in dock at U.N. rights forum

Reuters
September 13, 2007

GENEVA (Reuters) - Western countries on Thursday voiced concern at the rising number of executions in Iran as well as the "treatment of women as second class citizens" there.

Envoys from Canada and Portugal, the latter speaking on behalf of the European Union, criticized the Islamic Republic at a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Canada's John Von Kaufmann said Iran's "deteriorating human rights situation" contravened its obligations under both international and domestic laws.

"Canada is concerned by the treatment of women as second class citizens under Iranian law and the suppression of peaceful demonstration in support of women's rights," he added.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour said she had urged Iranian officials in talks in Tehran last week to ensure the right to peaceful public expression, and had raised the subject of the execution of juveniles.

The number of executions in the country, many in public, has risen since July with the launch of a summer crackdown on what Iran calls "immoral behavior." ... Read More