Geneva: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, has accused those who present themselves as champions of human rights of being the foremost violators of the rights of the Iranian people. Gharibabadi made these statements during a meeting of Senior Officials of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Gharibabadi criticized Western countries, which he described as self-proclaimed advocates of human rights, as the principal violators of Iranian rights. He cited their comprehensive support for Saddam Hussein's regime during the Iran-Iraq war, including providing chemical weapons and supporting terrorism against Iran, as significant evidence of their duplicity.

Gharibabadi highlighted recent incidents, noting the full support of the United States and its allies for the Zionist regime's actions during the 12-day conflict against Iran in June 2025, as well as the genocide in Gaza. These actions, he claimed, resulted in the martyrdom of thousands of Iranians and Palestinians. He further accused these countries of blocking condemnation resolutions at the UN Security Council, thereby allowing these atrocities to continue, and criticized their oppressive sanctions as crimes against humanity.

The deputy foreign minister dismissed the West's professed pursuit of democracy, labeling it a fa§ade to conceal their support for terrorism and attempts to weaken Iran's sovereignty. He cautioned Iran's adversaries against engaging in new provocations, affirming Iran's resilience against conspiracies. Gharibabadi concluded by suggesting that it is time for Western powers to embrace diplomacy and mutual respect.