Secretary of the Islamic Human Rights Commission Mohammad Hassan Ziayeefar said in Tehran on Tuesday that Iran's positive progress on freedom of expression and opinion, challenges in related regulations and implementation of laws on freedom were discussed with United Nations Human Rights Commission.

Ziayeefar made the remarks in an interview with IRNA after a meeting with the rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression of the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

Pointing to the responsibilities of the UN delegation, he said, They are obliged to acquire true information on the Iranian society through official and unofficial sources recognized at international levels and prepare a report on false claims and correct cases of violation of such freedom.

He added the delegation will present its report to the UN Human Rights Commission and it will be discussed next spring. Ziayeefar noted that no declaration will be issued against Iran if the commission assessed as positive the reports prepared by its delegations on Iran.

He said the six-day visit by the rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression of the United Nations Human Rights Commission to Iran is taking place at the invitation of Iran's Foreign Ministry.

Talking to IRNA at the end of the meeting, the UN special rapporteur Ambeyi Ligabo said the visit is aimed at discussing freedom of expression and opinion in Iran.

He said he will express his views on the situation of freedom of expression and opinion in Iran after concluding the information and comparing it with other neighboring states.

Ligabo and his entourage are scheduled to meet with members of Majlis Article 90 Commission members and Tehran's Prosecutor Saeed Mortazavi on Wednesday.

A member of Iran's Assembly of Experts and a member of the Supreme Board of Islamic Human Rights Commission Hashem Hashemzadeh Asl Herisi, a member of the Presiding Board and a member of Majlis's Legal and Judiciary Commission Ebrahim Amini were also present at the meeting.

... Payvand News - 11/5/03 ... --