the UN General Assembly on criticised the human rights situation in Iran

the UN General Assembly on criticised the human rights situation in Iran in a relatively close vote that lashed out at restrictions on free speech under Tehran's Islamic regime. The assembly, which groups all 191 UN member states, approved the resolution 71-54 with 55 abstentions. Resolutions adopted by the assembly are not legally binding but do reflect international opinion. The measure was sponsored by Canada, whose relations with Iran had taken a turn for the worse since Iranian-Canadian photographer Zahra Kazemi died while in custody in Iran in 2004. Co-sponsored by 33 other nations including Tehran's arch-foes Israel and the United States, the resolution stopped short of condemning Iran outright but said member states had "serious concern" over a long list of rights abuses. It took aim at the clerical regime for "the worsening situation with regard to freedom of opinion and expression" and the "targeted disqualification" of reformists in Iran's parliamentary elections. Iran also continued to use "torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment," including amputation, flogging and the execution of those under 18 years of age, the assembly said. It added that reformists, religious dissidents and the political opposition were subject to continuing persecution and said Iran had failed to comply with international standards of justice and due process.