GENEVA — A UN human rights investigator on Tuesday criticised Iran over "arbitrary arrests, torture and ill-treatment" of women and called on the Teheran authorities to abolish the death penalty. Yakin Erturk, a Turkish law professor, also urged Teheran to adopt a national action plan to promote and protect human rights which would emphasise the elimination of violence against women.
Although they had seen some advances, Iranian women still face violence in and outside the home and are blocked from defending their rights by discriminatory laws and an unfair justice system, Erturk said. "Discriminatory laws and malfunction in the administration of justice result in impunity for perpetrators and perpetuate discrimination and violence against women," she said.
| Like for example, hanging handicapped young girls for 'sex crimes'. |
Erturk issued her criticism in a preliminary report for the world body's Human Rights Commission — which holds its annual six-week session in Geneva in March and April — following a government-approved visit to the country.
She said she was "troubled by the widespread practice of arrest for political opinion, including of female human rights defenders, and for 'moral offences'," and by the failure of the judicial system to enforce safeguards ensuring fair trials.
| Don't worry, the UNHRC will vote this down and silence her. |
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