Representative delivering the statement: Ms. Elizaveta Zaidman
Thank you, Madam President.
The World Jewish Congress notes with a measure of skepticism the Islamic Republic of Iran’s apparent pledge to safeguard the rights of religious minorities through representation in Parliament but remains appalled by Iran’s contemporary mistreatment of minority citizens of diverse ethnic, religious, linguistic, sexual, and gender-based backgrounds.
As a preeminent example, followers of the Bahai faith are not represented at the parliamentary level in Iran and reportedly have been subject to arbitrary detention, confiscation of property, and other gross human rights violations. The Bahai’s institutional discrimination by the Iranian regime must be immediately halted, investigated, and condemned.
In order for human rights to be truly upheld, safeguards must be universal and cannot be implemented selectively to some minorities over others or to some rights over others. The World Jewish Congress therefore calls on the Human Rights Council to condemn in the strongest terms Iran’s ongoing persecution of its own citizens as flagrant human rights violations.
Thank you.