Iranian Foreign Minister Criticizes Use of Human Rights for Political Pressure at UN Human Rights Council
Geneva, The Gulf Observer: Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed concern on Monday at the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, highlighting the misuse of human rights as a tool for political and economic pressure by certain countries. He criticized these governments for exploiting the human rights agenda to advance their own interests and interfere in the internal affairs of other nations.
“We call on all governments to work toward protecting and promoting human rights based on the principles of fairness and impartiality,” Araghchi emphasized during his address, stressing that human rights should be pursued in an atmosphere of mutual respect and non-interference.
The Iranian foreign minister pointed to unilateral coercive measures, including sanctions, as major obstacles to the realization of human rights globally. He explained that these measures have a particularly damaging impact on vulnerable groups, such as women, children, the elderly, and the disabled.
Araghchi, citing Iran as a victim of such policies, demanded the immediate lifting of all unilateral sanctions, which he argued violate the fundamental rights of Iranians and have caused widespread suffering.
The minister also condemned Israel’s actions against Palestinians, stating, “One cannot talk about human rights without mentioning the suffering of the Palestinian people and the crimes of the Israeli regime.” He reaffirmed Iran’s firm condemnation of the violence and occupation in Gaza, calling for accountability for the Israeli regime’s actions and their violation of Palestinian rights.
Araghchi concluded by underscoring the need for a unified international approach to human rights that upholds the principles of fairness and justice.
