Tehran - BORNA - Seraj made the remarks during a meeting of Iran’s Permanent Mission in Geneva with ambassadors of the Asian Group at the Council. He thanked Tajikistan’s delegation and the ambassadors in attendance, emphasizing the significance of Asian unity and cooperation.
Seraj, who also serves as Iran’s Deputy Chief of Judiciary for International Affairs, noted that while the diversity of perspectives among Asian states can make consensus difficult, the shared cultural and historical roots of the region provide a strong basis for meaningful achievements.
He criticized the policies of certain Western states that have imposed mechanisms such as the Special Rapporteur and fact-finding missions on Iran, saying these measures bear no relation to the realities inside the country. “Policy-making and legislation in Iran are based on social values, public demands, international commitments, and political, economic, social and cultural priorities, with human rights principles considered in this process,” Seraj said.
The Iranian human rights chief underscored: “The expectation is that the Human Rights Council, as an international institution, should perform better, stay away from politicization, double standards and geopolitical conflicts.” He pointed out that most of the Council’s oversight mechanisms target Asian and African countries, urging the Asian Group to show greater unity to counteract such trends.
Seraj also strongly condemned the Council’s silence on Israel’s military actions. “Israel has attacked eight countries in the region with impunity, yet the Council failed to react appropriately. But over the death of one girl in Iran, the Council convened 37 special sessions and created resolutions and monitoring mechanisms,” he said. He denounced the practice of placing Iran under the same oversight basket as Israel while ignoring the crimes being committed in Palestine and Gaza, arguing that “the process of the Council must be reformed.”
He further recalled the recent 12-day military aggression by Israel and the United States against Iran, criticizing the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for issuing statements on minor issues in Iran while remaining silent on large-scale atrocities. “The Council’s silence harms all of us,” Seraj warned.
Seraj concluded by urging all Council members, especially the Asian Group, to defend the independence and professionalism of the Human Rights Council, stressing that only through united action can credibility be restored.
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