A/RES/70/173 United Nations Distr.: General 25 February 2016 General Assembly Seventieth session Agenda item 72 (c) Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 17 December 2015 [on the report of the Third Committee (A/70/489/Add.3)] 70/173. Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran The General Assembly, Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1 the International Covenants on Human Rights 2 and other international human rights instruments, Recalling its previous resolutions on the situation of human right s in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the most recent of which is resolution 69/190 of 18 December 2014, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General of 31 August 2015 submitted pursuant to resolution 69/190 3 and the report of the Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran of 6 October 2015, 4 submitted pursuant to Council resolution 28/21 of 27 March 2015; 5 2. Continues to welcome the pledges made by the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran with regard to some important human rights issues, particularly on eliminating discrimination against women and members of ethnic minorities and on greater space for freedom of expression and opinion; 3. Acknowledges proposals for legislative and administrative changes in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which, if properly implemented, would address some human rights concerns, including portions of the new Code of Criminal Procedure; 4. Welcomes recent announcements by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran of increased services for victims of domestic violence, as well as draft legislation that may increase penalties for perpetrators of violence against women; 5. Also welcomes steps taken to improve access to education for persons belonging to some ethnic minorities in their native languages; __________________ 1 2 3 4 5 Resolution 217 A (III). Resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. A/70/352. A/70/411. See Official Records of the General Assembly, Seventieth Session, Supplement No. 53 (A/70/53), chap. III, sect. A. 15-16927 (E) *1516927* Please recycle

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