Ahmed Shaheed served as the first Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran since the termination of the previous Commission of Human Rights mandate in 2002. As Special Rapporteur, he pioneered the use of novel methodologies, such as modern technologies, clinical studies and large data sets for examining human rights violations in Iran, while investigating and reporting on human rights abuses in the country including, but not limited to, systematic violations of due process rights, structural discrimination against religious minorities, LGBT+ persons, women and girls, inhumane prison conditions, restrictions on speech and assembly, and the denial of economic, social and cultural rights.
Dr. Shaheed served in his role from 2011-2016, and then served as Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief from 2016 to 2022. Mr. Shaheed is currently Professor of International Human Rights Law at the University of Essex, and an OSCE Expert on Freedom of Religion or Belief. A full resume is available here.
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This report, the first to be submitted to the Human Rights Council, is submitted pursuant to Council resolution 16/9 and covers the human rights developments since the commencement of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on 1 August 2011. The Special Rapporteur e presented his first interim report to the General Assembly (A/66/374) in October 2011.
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Ahmed Shaheed presented his September 2011 interim report on situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UNGA Third Committee during its 66th session. The report outlines Dr. Shaheed’s methodology and desire for constructive dialogue with Iranian authorities. It tracks broad human rights violations and individual cases.
