The UN General Assembly on Monday condemned violations and restrictions of human rights and press freedom in Iraq and Iran.
The assembly strongly condemned what it called massive and systematic human-rights violations in Iraq under the regime of President Saddam Hussein.
The resolution adopted by 102 votes with three against and 60 abstentions condemned the use of terror to stifle all forms of opposition to the Iraqi strongman's rule.
It specifically mentions the suppression of freedom of thought, expression and association, threats against exiled opponents of the regime, political murders and the widespread use of torture by the regime.
Libya, Mauritania and Sudan opposed the resolution. Nations that abstained were mostly Arab and Muslim.
The resolution is the result of a UN investigation into human rights violations in Iraq and comes at a time when support is weakening for sanctions imposed after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
As for Iran, the General Assembly expressed "deep concern" over restrictions of press freedoms in Iran, and condemned discrimination and flaws in the country's justice system.
The assembly in a resolution passed Monday expressed "deep concern" over the erosion of "freedom of opinion and expression -- in particular at restrictions on the freedom of the press," citing publication embargoes and the arrests of journalists and intellectuals.
It passed the resolution with 67 votes for and 54 against. Forty-six nations abstained.
It also denounced capital punishment, the lack of fair trials and discrimination against religious minorities and women in Iran.
But the assembly said it "welcomes" the Iranian government's commitment to promoting rights and reforming the judicial and penal systems – (AFP)
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