Iran's foreign minister wraps up two-day visit to Geneva

Gisoo Misha Ahmadi
Press TV, Geneva

“Terrorism laundering”, a term which Iran’s Foreign Minister’s two-day visit to Geneva will be remembered by. Addressing the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council at the UN headquarters, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian did not mince his words when it came to elaborating on the fact that Iran has been the victim of an unprecedented propaganda war.

He said the rights of the Iranian nation were completely ignored during that war launched by the same countries claiming to be advocates of human rights.

The foreign minister further explained how western and US unilateral sanctions have also undermined the very same concept of human rights as a packed conference hall listened attentively, some European officials in particular; who then took the opportunity to meet with Amir-Abdollahian. They included his counterparts from Finland, Belgium, AND Norway, who came to the Foreign Minister's hotel for bilateral talks. Several other meetings followed as well, involving officials from countries including Armenia, Indonesia, Senegal, and Venezuela seeking stronger bilateral ties.

Meanwhile, humanitarian issues were also discussed in a meeting with the UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. In a pentalateral meeting with heads of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UN refugee agency, the International Organization for Migration, and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, specific details regarding the effects of western and US sanctions on the ongoing humanitarian crises in West Asia were brought to light.

Top UN officials also met with Iran’s Foreign Minister including Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

An issue that was reiterated by the Foreign minister during the 2023 Conference on Disarmament which started on the same day the 52nd session of the Human Rights Council was held allowing the issue of human rights to be discussed in more detail.

This year marks 75 years since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 30 years since the adoption of the Vienna Declaration, two milestone documents that continue to guide the work of the Council, But it is very clear that we still have a long way to go.

The 52nd session of the Human Rights Council started on February 27 and will continue until April 4th. Key issues on the agenda include the three Ps, promotion and protection of human rights and preventing human rights from being violated.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk