Intervention by the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran Second Session of the Forum on Minority Issues Friday, 13 Nov. 2009 (Morning Session) Madame Chairperson, Yesterday, we had a constructive thematic discussion on effective political participation of minorities, in line with the main objective and the themes of the Forum. In this context, we heard some fruitful presentations, which we fully appreciate. Nonetheless, we extremely regret that at the end of yesterday morning's session, one speaker suddenly diverted the mainstream of the substantive discussions of the Forum, by raising some totally irrelevant issues as well as baseless allegations and distortions against my country. While strongly rejecting those baseless allegations, my delegation seriously expected you Madam Chair, to intervene and direct appropriately the discussions to be in line with both procedure and substance, and prevent those who want to abuse the opportunity of this august Forum for their malicious political ends, with shows and propagations. In this context, it should be noted that presently we have more than 10,000 NGOs in Iran, a number of them with consultative status with ECOSOC, who represent genuine civil society and are active in various fields including human rights and minority issues. Madam Chair, suffice it to say that before the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979, the dictatorship regime of Shah which was fully supported by some big powers had a very poor record in the field of human rights particularly in marginalized areas of the country. While during the past three decades after the Islamic Revolution, numerous measures and initiatives have been taken by the Government to effectively improve the overall situation particularly in disadvantaged provinces like Sistan and Baluchestant, with a view to combat poverty and underdevelopment and to promote effective participation of people in all walks of life. Furthermore, Muslim Shiat's and Sunnis are living side by side peacefully and working together for better future. Nevertheless, some known elements supported by powers are trying to abuse the existing diversities with a view to lead the region to extremism and terrorism.