U.N. called on to press Iran on rights

NEW YORK, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- The United Nations is called on to appoint a special envoy to investigate the human rights situation in Iran, advocacy groups said.

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International joined other rights advocacy groups, including the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, in calling on the United Nations to appoint a special envoy to probe human rights abuses in Iran.

Tehran was scorned for sentencing a woman to death by stoning recently, though Iran has recently backed away from the execution method. Meanwhile, the international community is still upset over Iran's conduct in the wake of contested presidential elections in 2009.

Hundreds of supporters of an opposition movement in Iran were rounded up in the wake of violent demonstrations last year. In January, two men were executed for their alleged role in the election violence even though they were in custody before the summer skirmishes, Human Rights Watch said.

The advocacy groups said opposition supporters were accused of vague "offenses" related to "national security," describing many of the judicial proceedings as show trials.

Meanwhile, more than 140 juvenile offenders are awaiting death sentences for alleged crimes committed as children.

"Concerted action is needed to enable the people of Iran to gain greater access to the full spectrum of their internationally-recognized human rights," Human Rights Watch said in its statement.