Mixed take on Iranian human rights measure

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Iran's human rights abuses undermine the country's reputation on the world stage, a spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council stated.

The U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution criticizing Iran's human rights record, calling on the clerical regime to do more to uphold its international obligations.

A resolution at the General Assembly expressed "deep concern at serious ongoing and recurring human rights violations" in Iran.

John McNee, the Canadian envoy to the United Nations, noted that there was a "very regrettable" deterioration of human rights in the Islamic republic.

Tehran was criticized for its violent repression of an opposition movement that took to the streets after contested presidential elections in 2009. More recently, Tehran was condemned for scheduling an execution for Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, convicted of murder and adultery. She was originally sentenced to death by stoning.

The Iranian representative to the United Nations, Mohammad Javad Larijani, said the only crime that Tehran was committing wasn't being a "Xerox copy" of Western democracy.

Cairo, meanwhile, said there were specific human rights bodies within the United Nations that should deal with such issues.

Mike Hammer, a spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, said the General Assembly measure sent a strong message, however.

"By adopting the resolution, the international community has sent an unequivocal message to the Iranian government that universal rights must be respected," he said in a statement.