The U

The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution calling on Tehran to end torture, particularly amputations. The vote was 67 in favour, 54 against with 46 abstentions on the resolution that chastised Iran for executions, cracking down on freedom of speech and the free press as well as its discrimination against religious minorities, such as the Bahais. The resolution called on the Iranian government ``to take all necessary steps to end the use of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment, in particular the practice of amputation.'' It also expressed concern about ``the deterioration of the situation with regard to freedom of opinion and expression, in particular at restrictions on the freedom of the press''. The document was based on a report from Canadian jurist Maurice Copithorne on developments in the first six months of the year 2000. Copithorne, who has not been allowed in the country since 1996, found executions continued at a high rate and ``that torture continues in the Islamic Republic of Iran -- and in its most primitive form -- was confirmed in the period under review,'' said Copithorne. The report also stated that Iran's powerful Guardian Council, set up to ensure that legislation forms with Islam, represented a "major obstacle to the advancement of Iranian democracy".