Iran dismisses US report on religious freedom

Rasa – Iran’s Foreign Ministry slammed a recent US report on religious freedom in Iran as untrue and unconstructive, saying Washington had better address the widespread violation of the rights of American Muslims, as cited in the UN report.

News ID: 422695

Date: 14 August 2016 - 14:47

RNA – Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi on Saturday described the US Department of State’s annual report on human rights practices as an unreal, exaggerated and unconstructive document that contains repeated and unsubstantiated claims made “on the basis of enmity and political intentions.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran recognizes the rights of religious minorities according to its Constitution. All Iranian citizens are equal in enjoying their basic rights under the law,” he added.

Qasemi then highlighted the UN’s expression of concern in a recent report about the widespread violation of rights of religious minorities in the US, calling on Washington to address the blatant violations of Muslim rights instead of giving advice to the others.

“It is necessary for the US administration to stop violating the rights of religious minorities, particularly of Muslims, and show more serious commitment to its human rights obligations,” Qasemi underlined.

Tehran condemns any political exploitation of the issue of human rights against the interests of the independent countries, he concluded.

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