Statement by Mr. Jeffrey Salim Waheed, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations, Intervention at the interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
The Maldives delegation takes note of the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. We also welcome the Report of the Secretary-General and the recommendations contained in the report.
Mr. Chairman,
The Maldives welcomes the continued engagement of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the office of the United Nations' High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as other UN bodies addressing human rights issues. In this spirit, we encourage the Islamic Republic of Iran to engage further with the thematic mandate holders to create a dialogue where questions can be addressed.
My delegation is pleased about the positive statements and overtures in relation to freedom of expression and non-discrimination made by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Maldives is concerned about the limitation on freedom of expression, association and assembly as well as cases of arbitrary arrest and imprisonment noted by the Special Rapporteur. Maldives welcomes President Rouhani's emphasis on gender equality yet are deeply concerned about the lack of equal opportunities for women in all spheres of life in Iran, as well as existence of discriminatory laws.
Mr. Chairman,
Since the report of the Secretary-General expressed the regret of a lack of cooperation on the part of the Islamic Republic of Iran with UN bodies and mandate holders on human rights, the Maldives would like to ask the Special Rapporteur if he has any views on how the Islamic Republic of Iran could be provided with incentives for its engagement with these UN mechanisms.
