BICOM

Foreign Minister William Hague addressed the opening of the 16th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva yesterday. He said that the UK would support a resolution on human rights abuses in Iran, and called for the establishment of an investigator to look into this issue. Twenty-two foreign ministers addressed the council at the opening, with the main focus on the uprisings taking place across the Middle East. The EU’s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the international community must respond to the calls of the civilians who are demanding their rights. She welcomed the sanctions imposed by the Security Council on Saturday against Libya and its leaders.

 

In related developments, Israeli government sources said yesterday that a new International Atomic Energy Agency report revealed the importance of increasing the pressure on Iran. The leaked report showed the UN’s growing frustration with Iran’s lack of cooperation with respect to inspections of its nuclear facilities, and showed that Iran’s efforts were focused in moving ahead with its programme.