Iran Sounds Alarm: Human Rights Shouldn’t Be Weaponized for Political Gain
In a recent address at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi raised critical concerns regarding the manipulation of human rights by certain nations. He highlighted how these countries exploit human rights as a means to exert political and economic pressure on others, thereby interfering in their internal affairs.
During the 58th session of the council held in Geneva on Monday, Araghchi pointed out that some governments misuse this vital institution to further their own agendas. He emphasized that the pursuit of human rights should always occur in an atmosphere characterized by mutual respect and non-interference.
“We call on all governments to work toward protecting and promoting human rights based on the principles of fairness and impartiality,” he stated, underscoring the need for a collaborative approach.
Araghchi identified unilateral coercive measures as among the most significant barriers to achieving human rights globally. He noted that these measures have a detrimental effect on ordinary citizens and vulnerable groups, including:
- Women
- Children
- The elderly
- The disabled
The Iranian foreign minister articulated that Iran has long suffered from such misguided policies and called for “the immediate lifting of all unilateral sanctions,” which he claimed infringe upon the fundamental human rights of the Iranian populace and have inflicted pain on millions of innocent individuals.
He elaborated on the serious challenges faced by the Iranian people over the decades, including unjust economic sanctions and terrorism. He cautioned that “imposing political agendas by certain countries, often under the guise of promoting human rights, undermines the principles of the United Nations and threatens to destroy trust among member states.”
In addition, Araghchi addressed the Israeli violations of Palestinian rights, stating, “One cannot talk about human rights without mentioning the suffering of the Palestinian people and the crimes of the Israeli regime.” He firmly condemned the genocide in Gaza, alongside Israel’s systematic violence and occupation, which he described as violations of the right to life for Palestinians.
Araghchi urged the international community to hold the occupying regime accountable for its actions, emphasizing the need for a unified stand against these injustices.
