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Araqchi is in Geneva to participate in the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council and the 2025 session of the Conference on Disarmament. During his visit, he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from various countries and meet with the UN Secretary-General. The high-level segment of the UN Conference on Disarmament is taking place from February 24 to 28 in room XIX of the Palais des Nations.
As part of his engagements, Araqchi met with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, where he emphasized the prominent position of human rights and human dignity in Iran’s governance system and constitution, stating that the Islamic Republic remains committed to advancing these principles. He also highlighted Iran’s engagement with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and reiterated Tehran’s willingness to continue this cooperation. The foreign minister criticized the selective and double standards of some Western countries on human rights, condemning the inaction and complicity of the United States and certain Western states regarding systematic and grave human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territories.
He stated that such double standards undermine the credibility of Western human rights rhetoric and embolden Israel to commit serious international crimes. UN High Commissioner Volker Türk expressed concern over worsening global trends threatening human rights and stressed the importance of all governments adhering to their international legal commitments. Referring to his opening report at the Human Rights Council session, Türk voiced deep concern over developments in the occupied Palestinian territories.
He firmly rejected proposals for the forced displacement of Gaza’s population, calling them completely unacceptable. “The human rights violations against the Palestinian people have remained a constant focus of the Human Rights Council,” Türk said, emphasizing that the OHCHR has consistently condemned these violations and remains steadfast in its position..
