UNITED NATIONS: COMMITTEE CRITICIZES IRAN'S USE OF TORTURE, DEATH PENALTY AND TARGETING OF RIGHTS DEFENDERS

A U.N. committee has expressed deep concern at Iran's continuing use of torture, the death penalty and execution of minors, and the increasing and systematic targeting of human rights defenders including lawyers and journalists.
The General Assembly's human rights committee approved the resolution by a vote of 83-31 with 68 abstentions. The 193-member world body is expected to take a final vote next month.
The resolution calls for an end to rights violations and urges the government to immediately release all those detained for exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
It expresses concern at restrictions on candidates in the 2012 parliamentary elections and strongly urges the government "to ensure free, fair, transparent and inclusive presidential elections in 2013 that reflect the will of the people."