The UN Human Rights Council’s special rapporteur on human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran has released an “advanced unedited version” of a report that criticizes the Iranian government for shortcomings in respecting basic rights and a failure to adhere to the country’s own laws.

The report, released on February 28, notes laws on elections are not followed and “significant and unreasonable limitations” are imposed on Iranian citizens’ rights to run for president.

The report documents the “continued arrest, detention, and prosecution” of journalists and netizens under the provisions of a 1986 press law that lists 17 categories of “impermissible” content.

Also mentioned is the plight of rights defenders who are “subjected to harassment, arrest, interrogation, and torture.”

The report also criticizes executions in Iran.

By RFE/RL’s Radio Farda

March 01, 2013