Discourse Center,
Thank you, Madame President. Dear Ladies and Gentlemen. I come from Iran, a country with an
ancient heritage and a diverse cultural fabric, which has long served as a cradle of civilizations and
religions. The historical presence of the Zoroastrians, Christians, Jews and Muslims, or Sunnis and
Shiites, is shaping the cultural identity of this country, bears witness to the deep-rooted traditions of
the coexistence. In the framework of national, legal and constitutional principles the rights and
freedoms of recognized religious minority communities are formally acknowledged in Iran. These
communities enjoy the legal authority to conduct religious practices freely in their dedicated places
of worship. Moreover, each of these religious communities is guaranteed dedicated representation
in the Iranian Parliament. Dear Madame Chair, Discourse Center, as a non-governmental organization
affirms that any attempt to provoke division or instrumentalize ethnic and religious diversity in Iran
runs counter to the internationally recognized human rights norms. The people of Iran are keenly
aware that the longstanding culture of coexistence among the Abrahamic faiths (?) represents a
valuable resource for enhancing dialogue, building mutual trust, and promoting innovate approaches
to the protection of religious minority rights. We firmly believe that the acceptance of and respect
for the other constitutes the foundation of sustainable peace and harmonious coexistence in every
society. Thank you very much for your attention.