Iran approves law to reveal cases of US, UK human rights violation

Iran approves law to reveal cases of US, UK human rights violation 

Sat Jun 9, 2012 9:57AM

File photo shows detainees in orange jumpsuits at the US military base and detention facility of Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has notified relevant Iranian authorities of a law that tasks them with bringing to light cases of human rights violation by the United States and Britain.

The legislation, which was earlier passed by the Majlis (parliament) and approved by Iran's Guardian Council (GC), aims to inform the global community about the gross violation of human rights by the United States and Britain.

To this end, Iran has allocated an annual amount of USD 20 million and designated a working group, superintended by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry, to monitor the related procedures.

The task force also includes Iran's Foreign Ministry, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Communications and Information Technology Ministry, Culture and Islamic Communications Organization and a member of Iran's Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.

The legislation requires Iran's Foreign Ministry to prepare and release annual reports on cases of human rights violation by the US and UK and tasks the Intelligence Ministry to present quarterly reports to the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee.

The United States has come under heavy scrutiny following the United Nation’s 2011 human rights report laid by High Commissioner Navi Pillay for its human rights abuses.

The US is accused of using torture techniques, including a simulated drowning technique known as water-boarding, on alleged terrorist suspects, many of whom have been held without charge for years at the Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba.

The detention facility was initially established at a US naval base in Cuba after the US invasion of Afghanistan in January 11, 2002, under former US President George W. Bush.

There are still many prisoners in the facility despite vows by US President Barack Obama to close the notorious prison.

London has also been at the center of concerns by human rights activists over the past two years for, among others, the threat to use rubber bullets and water cannons against demonstrators as well as the use of controversial kettling techniques to contain protests.

London is also currently pursuing regulations that allow officials immediate access to all phone and internet usage of individuals upon demand.