Iran rejects UN resolution on its human rights situation

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast criticized the recent UN resolution on human rights situation in Iran, semi-official Mehr news agency reported on Saturday. On Thursday, the UN General Assembly condemned what it called the human rights "violations" in Iran and expressed deep concern at the country's continuing use of "torture" and "death penalty" and pressures on the religious and ethnic minorities. It also demanded the Iranian government to stop targeting journalists and human rights activists. "The Islamic republic of Iran rejects these politically- motivated and interventionist measures, and will be firm in its position on respecting rights of the citizens based on the Constitution and the Islamic laws," Mehmanparast was quoted as saying by Mehr. Iranian Ambassador to the United Nations Mohammad Khazaei also criticized the resolution in his address to the General Assembly on Thursday, saying it failed to reflect realities in the country, according to Press TV.