International Kurdish Union on Item VI Chair. Let me begin by welcoming the United Nation’s Nationally Assembly for passing the resolution on human rights in Iran. Although we find it problematic that the declaration did not mention different national communities within Iran and the different religious communities within Iran who are being repressed by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Madam Chair, we’re alarmed by Iran’s continuous policy of repression and widespread use of violence against the dissidents in Kurdistan and other regions populated by non-Persian nations. Kurds, Arabs, Baluchis, Turkmans, Azeris, and religious minorities including Jews, Christians, Bahaies, Jarsanies and[interrupted by the Chair] Madam Chair, I think that it is important to underline these issues again and again until the Islamic Republic stops these kinds of acts against the different ethnic, national, and religious minorities in Iran. For example, Madam Chair, Iran uses articles in its penal code which is 188/1992 of the country’s criminal code which considers members supporters and affiliates of political organisations of Kurdish, Arab, Baluch, dissident groups as “muhareb” which means enemies of God. These groups, these activists are sentenced to death for peaceful activities against the discrimination and oppression of the Islamic Republic. Although, I want to raise specific issues, we call upon the UN to put pressure on Iran, to end ill treatment and torture of women, children in the Iranian prisons. [Interrupted by the Chair]

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