Iran fails to stop UN assembly rights resolution

United Nations: Western nations on Friday passed a UN resolution condemning human rights violations in Iran.

Iran's bid to stop action on the resolution failed, with the assembly voting for the resolution 81 votes to 71. The committee then passed the resolution by 70 votes to 51.

The resolution goes to the full assembly next month, but diplomats said the outcome was expected to be the same and the key vote was in the committee.

The resolution urges Iran to end alleged torture and cruel punishment of detainees, executions of juveniles, stonings to death, violent repression of women demonstrators, discrimination against ethnic minorities and members of the Baha'i faith, and restrictions on freedom of religion and belief.

"The importance of this resolution is to put the spotlight on Iran's very poor human rights record," British Ambassador John Sawers told reporters.

Bani Dugal, a New York-based Baha'i spokeswoman, said the assembly action had "cleared the way for a thorough investigation of human rights abuses in Iran."

She said the entire seven-member Baha'i national leadership in Iran was being held in jail in Tehran.