U.N. human rights body approves investigator on Iran

GENEVA: The UN Human Rights Council on Thursday agreed to a proposal backed by the Americans to establish a United Nations investigator for the rights of Iran, the first in a decade.
The forum of 47 members in Geneva has approved the resolution by 22 votes to 7 against with 14 abstentions, the Chairman, Ambassador of Thailand Sihasak Phuangketkeow, said.
The Board expressed its concern at the crackdown on Iran opposition figures and the increased use of the death penalty, and called the Islamic Republic to cooperate with the UN envoy to be appointed to the position independent.
"The United States and other partners are seriously concerned about the situation in Iran where the respect for human rights has deteriorated considerably in recent years," U.S. human rights ambassador said Eileen Donahoe In a speech before the vote.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said earlier this month that Iran has intensified its repression of dissidents and executions of drug traffickers, political prisoners and juvenile offenders.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a speech before the Council last month - just days after Washington slapped new sanctions against Iran for its nuclear activities - has called for the creation of rights of the UN post.
Council's predecessor body, the Human Rights Commission, had special rapporteurs on Iran from 1984 to 2002. But Iran has not cooperated with the UN human rights office in a significantly since then, UN officials and diplomats. - (Reuters)