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For Immediate Release Washington, DC – NIAC commends efforts underway at the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) to productively address the continued campaign of human rights abuses in Iran. NIAC welcomes a report issued today at the HRC detailing the Iranian government’s human rights violations, a first step towards establishing an independent UN human rights monitor on Iran later this month. A vote to establish a monitor is expected March 24 or 25 in Geneva. “The international community is finally stepping up to address the human rights situation in Iran,” said NIAC policy director Jamal Abdi. “The successful establishment of a human rights monitor later this month would be a major step forward to stand with the Iranian people and help provide space and protection for Iran’s human rights defenders.” NIAC is convening a conference March 15th on Capitol Hill regarding Iran’s human rights situation and the establishment of UN human rights monitor on Iran. The event will feature Swedish Ambassador to the United States Jonas Hafström and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Suzanne Nossel, who will discuss the cross-regional effort to establish a monitor on Iran now underway at HRC. The effort is being led by Sweden, the United States, Panama, Zambia, Moldova, Macedonia, and the Maldives. NIAC has joined international human rights organizations and Iranian human rights defenders such as Shirin Ebadi in making early and sustained calls for a UN monitor on Iran. NIAC has worked diligently with Congress, the Obama administration, and the human rights community regarding this important effort. In February, NIAC strongly supported a letter signed by 24 US Senators to Secretary Clinton calling for the US to work at the HRC towards the establishment of a monitor.
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