A/RES/53/158 Page 2 1. Welcomes the interim report of the Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran,4 and takes note of the conclusion of the Special Representative that a political will exists to move Iranian society to a more tolerant and more peaceful condition but that, while some sectors are already benefiting from this progress, significant violations of human rights continue to occur; 2. Welcomes also the commitment made by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to promote respect for the rule of law, including the elimination of arbitrary arrest and detention, and to reform the legal and penitentiary system, including the closure of detention centres outside the national prison system, and to bring it into line with international human rights standards in this field, and calls upon the Government to take all necessary steps in this regard; 3. Welcomes further the more open debate in the Islamic Republic of Iran on issues of governance and human rights, as well as governmental efforts to make progress in the area of freedom of expression, while remaining concerned at instances of arbitrary closure of publications, widely reported cases of harassment and persecution of persons, including writers and members of the press; 4. Welcomes a more positive approach by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran with regard to freedom of assembly, as well as the support given to the development of non-governmental organizations, and expresses the hope that freedom for political activities will become more effective; 5. Notes with interest the increasing focus of the Islamic Human Rights Commission on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the examination of individual complaints and training activities, and expresses the hope that the Commission will become a truly independent agency for the promotion and protection of human rights in line with the 1993 principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights;5 6. Welcomes the assurances given by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran that it has no intention of taking any action whatsoever to threaten the life of Salman Rushdie and those associated with his work or of encouraging or assisting anyone to do so, and that it disassociates itself from any reward offered in this regard and does not support it, but expresses its concern at continuing threats to the life of Salman Rushdie, including the announced increase in the bounty; 7. Expresses its concern at the continuing violations of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, as reported by the Special Representative, in particular executions in the apparent absence of respect for internationally recognized safeguards, the use of national security laws as a basis for derogating from the rights of the individual, cases of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including sentences of stoning and amputation, as well as the failure to meet international standards in the administration of justice and the absence of due process of law; 8. Also expresses its concern at the discrimination against religious minorities and in particular remains gravely concerned at the unabated pattern of persecution against the Baha’is, in particular the execution and sentencing to death and arrests of members of the Baha’i community, and calls upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to implement the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur of 4 A/53/423 and Corr.1, annex. 5 Resolution 48/134, annex. /...