Matt Palmer
3/25/11
9:45 AM
http://tinyurl.com/4syu3ag
IRAN BLASTS APPOINTMENT OF U.N. RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR
Iran strongly opposed a measure approved Friday (3/25) by the main UN human rights entity creating the position of a special investigator for human rights violations. The investigator would be tasked with looking into all credible allegations of human rights abuses in the Middle Eastern country.
Iranian officials called the move "political," complaining that the motion was passed because of pressure from the US government. The White House did praise the move, referring to the "dismal state of human rights in Iran."
This is the first time a special investigator has been appointed by the UN to work within a specific country, brought on by the repeated complaints of human rights abuses in Iran, including violence against anti-Israeli Palestinians and Afghan civilians.
This appointment is a positive move, but I believe ultimately it will prove to be only symbolic. Even if the investigator brings back hard evidence of human rights abuses, what actions can be taken? UN sanctions? Will the Iranian government even recognize the authority of the UN if it's not convenient for them?
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