Iran rejects West’s criticism over human rights record, calls it politically motivated

Iran rejects West’s criticism over human rights

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s foreign ministry has rejected Western nations’ criticism of its human rights record, calling it unrealistic and politically motivated.

Western nations rebuked Iran in a statement to the U.N. Human Rights Council this week for what they called a lack of progress in protecting human rights. They cited crackdowns on protesters following Iran’s disputed presidential election last year.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast was quoted by Iran’s official news agency Thursday as saying the statement attempted to divert public opinion from an Israeli raid on May 31 on a flotilla trying to break Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip.

He called the statement “Unreal and with political intentions.”