Whitewashing terror and oppression. Leftist/Jihadist Alliance Update: “Islamic and Leftist Allies Defend Iran’s Human Rights Record at U.N. Gathering,” by Patrick Goodenough for CNS News, February 16 (thanks to Weasel Zippers):
(CNSNews.com) – As the U.N. Human Rights Council scrutinized Iran’s domestic rights record on Monday, Western nations raised concerns about abuses including executions, torture and mass arrests, while Tehran’s Islamic and leftist allies lined up to defend and praise the regime.
The events once again highlighted the deep divisions in the Geneva-based U.N. body, which the Obama administration joined last year, citing hopes of improving it from within.
After Iran presented the HRC with a 31-page report on its human rights record, the council on Monday held a three-hour “interactive dialogue,” with almost 60 states making statements and Iranian delegates periodically responding. The exercise is known as the “universal periodic review” (UPR), which examines every U.N. member state once every four years.
The U.S. led the criticism of Iran, with Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner voicing concern about suppression of post-election protests, restrictions on freedom of expression, violations of religious freedom, “show” trials, and reports of torture of detainees.
Several Western delegates called for an international inquiry into the post-election violence, while some implied that Iran was not an appropriate candidate to join the HRC. Iran hopes to win a seat on the council in elections scheduled for May.
For Iran’s allies, however – many of them countries whose own human rights records draw criticism – Iran’s UPR was an opportunity to shield Tehran and scold the West.
The Nicaraguan envoy painted Iran as the victim of Western imperialism.
“Nicaragua, as is the case for Latin America as a whole, has been a victim of the same oppressors and this is why my country recognizes this spirit of fighting and hope in the Iranian people,” he said.
The international community should not try to impose its principles and cultural values on others, the Nicaraguan added.
“We cannot but take into account the cultural environment in this fraternal country which, like other Islamic countries, believes that it is obliged to respect the norms of the Islamic shari’a.”
Venezuela’s representative praised Iran’s achievements, which he said came despite the country being “subjected to unjust economic sanctions and an ongoing defaming media campaign.”
Cuba’s envoy similarly said Iranian progress had been achieved despite restrictions imposed from outside.
Pakistan’s delegate encouraged Iran to ensure the protection of citizens’ rights, then added, “Pakistan firmly believes that human rights are better served when these are pursued through a non-politicized and cooperative approach. We should acknowledge that no country in the world can claim a blemish-free human rights record.”
The representative of Algeria noted that the UPR process was meant to be conducted in an “objective, non-selective, constructive, non-confrontational and non-politicized manner … unfortunately this does not seem to be the case today with Iran.”…