UN treaty-based bodies and the Islamic Republic of Iran: Human rights dialogue (1990-2016)

Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran remained a member of the United Nations and except for three core instruments, i.e. ICERD, ICCPR and ICESCR, that had already been signed during the time of the Shah, the Iranian regime signed two further instruments, i.e. CRC and CRPD, though this time with reservations. Throughout the years, the Iranian delegation has met with relevant UN mechanisms to discuss human rights issues in Iran in relation to each instrument. What has transpired from the dialogues, however, is a change of the use of language and position by the delegation in defence of the regime. The analysis demonstrates resistances, ambiguities and dichotomies in the responses of the delegation to accusations of human rights violations but also an adaptation of a human rights language over the years. The analyses carried out in this paper are based on the summary reports, concluding observations, State reports, the list of issues and their replies, reports of independent Special Procedures and reports of civil society organizations, as pertaining to each convention signed and ratified by Iran and as are available in electronic form.