Iran: UN rights accusations come from ‘terrorists’
Mar 13, 2012, 10:49 AM
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) – Tehran says a U.N. human rights expert tasked with investigating the situation in Iran has produced a report based on statements by “terrorists.”
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast was reacting Tuesday to a report from Ahmed Shaheed claiming “a striking pattern of violations” in the Islamic Republic.
Shaheed cited the arrest of journalists, harsh sentences for human rights lawyers, and cruel forms of punishment in the report presented Monday to the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The term “terrorist” is an apparent reference to the Mujahedin-e Khalq, a small exile group listed by the U.S. as a terrorist organization. The MEK says it has renounced violence, and also represents a very small fraction of the opposition to the government in Tehran.
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