At UN "Human Rights" Council Iran lectures democracies about human rights

On March 18, 2014 the UN Human Rights Council discussed the subject of "Human rights situations that require the Council's attention". The Iranian representative, at home in the UN "human rights" system, believes the topic is an excellent opportunity to lecture the world's leading democracies about human rights:

"To date the EU Member States have often proven unwilling to tackle human rights violations at home including...deteriorating media freedom...We remain concerned that extremism rests strong across the EU especially on issues related to Muslim minorities. It has been painful to observe that in a number of EU countries Romas continue to be victims of social exclusion and segregation...The U.S. human rights record is exceptionally poor and widely criticized despite its claim of human rights advocacy while its own restrictions on protests in US cities expose its inherent double-standard. Its unprecedented record level of human rights abuses and atrocities it committed around the world should also be highlighted...We express concern over widespread use of torture and other ill-treatment in Sweden...My delegation also regrets to notice that the indigenous people's situation in Canada remains an issue of serious concern. We continue to witness escalating levels of violence and growing reports of human rights abuses against indigenous peoples."

The spectacle of the leading state sponsor of terrorism - a regime that subjugates its female population and minorities, has no rule of law or democracy, routinely practices torture and other gruesome violations of human rights - advising the United States, Europe and Canada on how to protect rights, is ridiculous. Unfortunately, it also resonates with the majority of UN member states.