Wednesday, March 05, 2008
URI letter to the UN Human Rights Council
United Republicans of IranFor a Democratic and Secular Republic
http://www.iranrepublic.org/
international@jomhouri.com
March 6, 2008
The eight parliamentary elections is neither free nor Democratic
Honorable head of United Nations Human Rights Council
The eight parliamentary elections in Iran scheduled for March 14, 2008 clearly violates the articles of Universal Declarations of Human Rights, International covenant on civil and political rights as well as the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Iran. According to article 30 of election laws in Iran that serves as the basis for the election body of the Interior ministry as well as the Guardian Council, many of the political parties and groups engaging in peaceful criticism of Iran’s theocracy, not only have been barred from campaigning under the banner of their political affiliation, but also are not allowed to run as independents. In addition, the executive council of interior ministry and the observing committee of Guardian council have illegally managed to widely filter out candidates in favor of a particular group within the establishment. Therefore, this election does not enjoy the merits of a free and democratic election. Provisions of a fair competition between candidates are lacking in this election. Based on the aforementioned and defiance of the Islamic Republic of Iran in upholding its international obligations in the realm of Human Rights and the civil and political rights of its citizens, particularly where it pertains to freedom of political parties and elections, We are registering our complaints based on unaliented civil and political rights and also based on:
Articles 19 and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights regarding the right of freedom of expression and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
Articles 20, 21 and 25 of International covenant of civil and political rights
Declaration of Inter-Parliamentary Union passed on March 1994 outlining the characteristics of free election
We demand that according to the complementary protocol and section 4 of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, an investigation be carried out and the government of Iran as an offender of the above rights be pressured to abide by the laws and also change the discriminatory laws when necessary.
Our objections are based upon:
Lack of freedom of peaceful activity for political parties and associations inside the country.
Inability to be nominated, to freely elect the candidates of one’s choice and hold the pertaining rights based on the provisions of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Covenants on Civil and Political Rights, due to lack of “Practical Commitment” to Islam and Absolute dominance of Supreme Leader.
Inability of religious minorities to hold office and to assume responsibilities in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government.
Since according to the article 2 of the complementary protocol and section 4 of the
Covenant on the Civil and Political Rights, the protesters must file their complain
inside Iran whereas Iran’s Constitution has not anticipated any organization to take care of such complaints, We submit our complaints to the head judiciary and the Commission of Article 90 in Islamic parliament in Iran.
Dr. Mehran Barati Mehdi Amini
International Relations-Europe International Relations-USA
Carbon Copy to:
Honorable Head of Inter-Parliamentary Union
Honorable Head of Committee to Defend Free and Fair Elections in Iran
Honorable Head of Committee of Defending Human Rights in Iran
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