Statement by H.E. Mr. Ali BAHREINI before the Side Event "UPR Process in the Islamic Republic of Iran"

(Opening remarks)

Statement

By

 H.E. Mr. Ali BAHREINI

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva

Before

The Side Event:

 UPR Process in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Geneva, 23 January 2025

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

 

Dear Ambassadors.

Ladies and gentlemen, colleagues, and participants,

Welcome, and thank you for joining us today at this event.

Perhaps one of the most important mechanisms active in the Human Rights Council is the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

The UPR is a mechanism that can help shape a long-term, sustainable, and homegrown model for the promotion and protection of human rights in all countries.

Due to its inherent equality in reviewing human rights situations across all countries, this mechanism holds the greatest potential and capacity to earn the trust of nations.

The Islamic Republic of Iran considers this mechanism deserving of special attention and places great importance on it.

One of the most significant features of the UPR is that it can address all the capacities of countries and engage officials and individuals from even the most remote areas of a country. This feature certainly contributes to what I mentioned earlier, which is the UPR's role in the long-term promotion and protection of human rights.

UPR sessions provide a valuable opportunity for countries to familiarize themselves with the most detailed human rights developments, progress, and challenges of others in a non-confrontational environment.

By offering recommendations to one another, they can help each other gradually strengthen their strengths and address weaknesses over time.

UPR sessions, over a 4.5-year cycle, demonstrate that once the review of all countries is complete, no country is free from human rights violations and challenges.

When such a reality is before us, we must create an environment where, more than ever, the steps taken are aimed at the promotion of human rights, free from tensions, conflicts, and political agendas, rather than using human rights for political or instrumental purposes.

The goal of the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran in organizing this side event, which includes showcasing images of the lives of women in Iran, is to highlight the importance we place on this mechanism. This mechanism must be properly protected and maintained, free from tensions.

I will conclude my remarks here and look forward to hearing the speeches and reports from our panelists.

Finally, once again, thank you for joining us today, and I look forward to seeing you at Iran’s UPR session tomorrow.

Thank you

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