Iran releases annual human rights report on US and UK – Jurist.org

Annual Report on Human Rights and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Implementation in the United States and United Kingdom

Introduction

• The Iranian Ministry for Foreign Affairs has published its 2025 assessment of human rights conditions in the United States and the United Kingdom.
• The report evaluates the domestic and international policies of both nations, analyzing their alignment with international human rights law and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• This analysis is part of a series initiated in 2012 by a resolution of the Iranian Parliament requiring the monitoring of human rights violations in the US and UK.

Assessment of the United States

1. The report identifies significant challenges to the achievement of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
   • Widespread gun violence and the unlawful use of force by law enforcement are cited as direct impediments to Target 16.1 (Reduce all forms of violence and related death rates).
   • These issues are reported to disproportionately affect minority populations, undermining SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), specifically Target 10.3 (Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome).
2. The report alleges that US foreign policy utilizes human rights as an instrument for geopolitical and economic interests, which conflicts with the cooperative principles of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
   • The US government’s approval of the Israeli “Zionist regime in systemically violating the human rights of Palestinians and perpetrating genocide in Gaza” is presented as a primary example, implicating failures to uphold international law and SDG 16.

Assessment of the United Kingdom

1. The UK is also assessed as facing obstacles in meeting its commitments under SDG 16.
   • Allegations include unlawful police force and discrimination against minorities, impacting Target 16.3 (Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice) and SDG 10.
2. Domestic policies are reported to infringe upon the right to peaceful assembly, a key component of inclusive societies under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 16.
   • The alleged misuse of counter-terrorism measures to curtail protests is highlighted as a specific violation.
3. The report criticizes the UK’s extraterritorial human rights obligations, noting a failure to provide legal recourse for individuals abroad affected by UK-based corporate operations. This raises concerns regarding corporate accountability and access to justice under SDG 16.

Geopolitical Context and Reciprocal Assessments

• The report is situated within a context of reciprocal human rights assessments between Iran and Western nations.
• The United States and the United Kingdom regularly publish reports detailing alleged human rights violations in Iran, focusing on areas related to SDG 16 and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
  • The most recent US report charges significant human rights abuses, including arbitrary or unlawful killings, disappearances, and torture, representing severe violations of SDG 16.
  • A recent UK statement to the UN detailed how the Iranian government has bolstered a system that targets women, girls, and religious minorities, indicating significant challenges to achieving SDG 5 and SDG 10 in Iran.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

     This goal is central to the article, which discusses numerous violations related to violence, justice, and institutional conduct. Issues such as “widespread gun violence,” “unlawful use of force by police officers,” “arbitrary or unlawful killings,” “torture,” and violations of the “right to peaceful protest” directly fall under the promotion of peaceful and just societies.

   • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

     The article explicitly mentions that police violence specifically affects minorities and that there is “discrimination against minorities.” It also notes that the Iranian government allegedly targets “religious minorities.” These points directly connect to the goal of reducing inequality within and among countries.

   • SDG 5: Gender Equality

     This goal is relevant due to the UK’s report on Iran, which details how the Iranian government has “bolstered a system that targets women, girls,” leading to specific human rights violations against them. This highlights the need to achieve gender equality and end discrimination and violence against women and girls.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

     This target is directly addressed by the article’s references to “widespread gun violence,” “unlawful use of force by police officers,” and “arbitrary or unlawful killings” in the reports on the US and Iran.

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

     The article points to failures in the rule of law through “unlawful use of force by police,” “arbitrary or unlawful killings,” and “torture.” Furthermore, the condemnation of the UK for limiting the ability of “citizens abroad to seek legal action against UK-based businesses” highlights a lack of equal access to justice.

   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.

     The UK report’s reference to “violations of the right to peaceful protest through alleged misuse of counter-terrorism measures” directly relates to the protection of fundamental freedoms mentioned in this target.

   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices.

     This target is relevant to the claims of police actions “which specifically affect minorities,” “discrimination against minorities” in the UK, and the system in Iran that “targets women, girls, and religious minorities.” These all represent failures to ensure equal opportunity and eliminate discriminatory practices.

   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

     The report on Iran, which describes a “system that targets women, girls,” directly connects to the goal of ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Indicator 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population.

     This indicator is implied by the article’s mention of “widespread gun violence” and “arbitrary or unlawful killings.” Tracking the number of such deaths would be a direct measure of progress.

   • Indicator 16.3.3: Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism.

     The article implies a lack of access to justice, particularly in its criticism of the UK for preventing citizens from seeking “legal action against UK-based businesses operating abroad.” This indicator could measure the accessibility of legal recourse for such grievances.

   • Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed.

     The reports of police force “which specifically affect minorities,” “discrimination against minorities,” and a system that “targets women, girls, and religious minorities” all imply the existence of discrimination. This indicator would directly measure the prevalence of such perceived discrimination among affected populations.

   • Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex.

     The mention of a “system that targets women, girls” in Iran implies that the legal frameworks to protect them are either non-existent, inadequate, or actively discriminatory. This indicator would assess the state of those legal frameworks.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: jurist.org