I praise the merciful,
all-knowing and almighty God for blessing me with
another opportunity to address this Assembly on behalf
of the great nation of Iran and to bring a number of
issues to the attention of the international community. I
also praise the Almighty for the increasing vigilance of
peoples across the globe, their courageous presence in
different international settings, and the brave
expression of their views and aspirations regarding
global issues.
Today, humanity passionately craves commitment
to the truth, devotion to God, the quest for justice and
respect for the dignity of human beings. Rejection of
domination and aggression, defence of the oppressed,
and longing for peace constitute the legitimate demand
of the peoples of the world, particularly the new
generations and the spirited youth who aspire to a
world free from decadence, aggression and injustice,
replete with love and compassion. The youth have a
right to seek justice and the truth. They have a right to
build their own future on the foundations of love,
compassion and tranquillity. I praise the Almighty for
this immense blessing.
What afflicts humanity today is certainly not
compatible with human dignity. The Almighty has not
created human beings so that they could transgress
against others and oppress them. By causing war and
conflict, some are quickly expanding their domination,
accumulating greater wealth and usurping all the
resources, while others endure poverty, suffering and
misery as a result.
Some seek to rule the world relying on weapons
and threats, while others live in perpetual insecurity
and danger. Some occupy the homeland of others,
thousands of kilometres away from their borders,
interfere in their affairs and control their oil and other
resources and strategic routes, while others are
bombarded daily in their own homes, their children
murdered in the streets and alleys of their own country,
and their homes reduced to rubble.
Such behaviour is not worthy of human beings
and runs counter to the truth, to justice and to human
dignity. The fundamental question is this: under such
conditions, where should the oppressed seek justice?
Who, or what organization, defends the rights of the
oppressed and suppresses acts of aggression and
oppression? Where is the seat of global justice?
A brief glance at a few examples of the most
pressing global issues further illustrates the problem.
The first is the unbridled expansion of nuclear,
chemical and biological weapons. Some Powers have
proudly announced the production of second- and
third-generation nuclear weapons. What do they need
those weapons for? Is the development and stockpiling
of such deadly weapons designed to promote peace and
democracy? Or, are the weapons actually instruments
of coercion and threat directed against other peoples
and Governments?
How long should the people of the world have to
live with the nightmare of nuclear, biological and
chemical weapons? What binds the Powers that
produce and possess those weapons? How can they be
held accountable by the international community?
Furthermore, are the inhabitants of those countries
content with wasting their wealth and resources on the
production of such destructive arsenals? Is it not
possible to rely on justice, ethics and wisdom instead
of on such instruments of death? Are not wisdom and
justice more compatible with peace and tranquillity
37 06-52737
than nuclear, chemical and biological weapons? If
wisdom, ethics and justice prevail, then oppression and
aggression will be uprooted, threats will wither away
and no reason will remain for conflict.
This is a solid proposition, because most global
conflicts result from injustice and from the fact that the
powerful are not content with their own rights, but
want to deny the rights of others.
People across the globe embrace justice and are
willing to make sacrifices for its sake. Would it not be
easier for the global Powers to ensure their longevity
and win hearts and minds through the championing and
real promotion of justice, compassion and peace, rather
than by continuing the proliferation of nuclear and
chemical weapons and threatening their use?
We have experienced the threat and the use of
nuclear weapons. Has it achieved anything for the
perpetrators other than the exacerbation of tension,
hatred and animosity among nations?
The second issue is the occupation of countries
and the exacerbation of hostilities. The occupation of
Iraq has continued for the past three years. Not a day
goes by without hundreds of people being killed in
cold blood. The occupiers are incapable of establishing
security in Iraq. Despite the establishment of a lawful
Government and the National Assembly of Iraq, covert
and overt efforts are being made to heighten insecurity,
magnify and aggravate differences within Iraqi society
and instigate civil strife.
There is no sign that the occupiers have the
necessary political will to eliminate the sources of
instability. Numerous terrorists were apprehended by
the Government of Iraq, only to be let loose under
various pretexts by the occupiers. It seems that the
intensification of hostilities and terrorism serves as a
pretext for the continued presence of foreign forces in
Iraq.
Where can the people of Iraq seek refuge, and
from whom should the Government of Iraq seek
justice? Who can ensure Iraq’s security? Insecurity in
Iraq affects the entire region. Can the Security Council
play a role in restoring peace and security in Iraq when
the occupiers are themselves permanent members of
the Council? Is the Security Council capable of making
a fair decision in this regard?
Let us consider the situation in Palestine. The
roots of the Palestinian problem go back to the Second
World War. Under the pretext of protecting some of the
survivors of that war, the land of Palestine was
occupied through war and aggression, resulting in the
displacement of millions of its inhabitants. It was
placed under the control of some of the survivors of the
war, who brought even larger population groups from
elsewhere in the world who had not even been affected
by the Second World War. A Government was
established in the territory of others with a population
collected from throughout the world at the cost of
driving millions of the rightful inhabitants of the land
into diaspora and homelessness.
That is a great tragedy with hardly any precedent
in history. Refugees continue to live in temporary
refugee camps, and many have died while still hoping
one day to return to their land. Can any logic, law or
legal reasoning justify this tragedy? Would any
Member of the United Nations accept such a tragedy if
it occurred in its own homeland?
The pretexts for the creation of the regime
occupying Al-Quds al-Sharif are so weak that its
supporters want to silence any voice that tries merely
to speak about them, as they are concerned that
shedding light on the facts would undermine the raison
d’être of the regime — as, indeed, it has done. The
tragedy did not end with the establishment of a regime
on the territory of others. Regrettably, from its
inception, that regime has been a constant source of
threat and insecurity in the Middle East region —
waging war, spilling blood and impeding the progress
of countries in the region. It has also been used by
some Powers as an instrument of division, coercion
and pressure on the people of the region.
Reference to those historical realities may cause
some disquiet among supporters of that regime. But
these are simple facts, not myths. History has unfolded
before our eyes. Worse still is the unwarranted blanket
support provided to the regime. We need only watch
what is happening in the Palestinian land. People are
being bombarded in their own homes and their children
murdered in their own streets and alleys. But no
authority, not even the Security Council, can afford
them any support or protection. Why?
Meanwhile, a Government has been formed
democratically and through the free choice of the
electorate in a part of the Palestinian territory. But
instead of receiving the support of the so-called
champions of democracy, its ministers and members of
06-52737 38
parliament have been illegally abducted and
incarcerated in full view of the international
community.
What council or international organization is
standing up to protect this brutally besieged
Government? Why cannot the Security Council take
any steps?
I should like now to address the issue of
Lebanon. For 33 long days, the Lebanese lived under a
barrage of fire and bombs, and close to 1.5 million of
them were displaced. Meanwhile, some members of the
Security Council practically chose a path that provided
ample opportunity for the aggressor to achieve its
objectives militarily. We saw the Security Council
practically incapacitated by certain Powers so that it
could not even call for a ceasefire. The Security
Council sat idly by for many days, witnessing cruel
scenes of atrocities against the Lebanese, while
tragedies such as the one that occurred at Qana were
persistently repeated. Why?
In all of these cases, the answer is self-evident.
When the Power behind the hostilities is itself a
permanent member of the Security Council, how can
the Council fulfil its responsibilities?
The third issue is lack of respect for the rights of
members of the international community.
I now wish to speak about some of the grievances
of the Iranian people and about the injustices against
them.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is a member of the
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and is
committed to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons (NPT). All our nuclear activities are
transparent and peaceful and are under the watchful
eyes of IAEA inspectors. Why then are there objections
to our legally recognized rights? Which Governments
object to those rights? Governments that themselves
benefit from nuclear energy and the fuel cycle. Some
of them have abused nuclear technology for non-
peaceful ends, including the production of nuclear
bombs, and some even have a bleak record of using
them against humanity.
Which organization or council should address
those injustices? Is the Security Council in a position
to address them? Can it stop violations of the
inalienable rights of countries? Can it prevent certain
Powers from impeding the scientific progress of other
countries? The abuse of the Security Council, as an
instrument of threat and coercion, is indeed a source of
grave concern. Some permanent members of the
Security Council, even when they are themselves
parties to international disputes, conveniently threaten
others with the Security Council and, even before any
decision by the Council, proclaim the Council’s
condemnation of their opponents.
The question is: what can justify such
exploitation of the Security Council, and do not such
acts erode its credibility and effectiveness? Can such
behaviour strengthen the ability of the Council to
maintain security?
A review of recent historical realities would lead
to the regrettable conclusion that justice has become a
victim of force and aggression. Many global
arrangements have become unjust, discriminatory and
irresponsible as a result of undue pressure from some
of the powerful nations. Threats to use nuclear
weapons and other instruments of war, by some powers
have taken the place of respect for the rights of nations
and the maintenance and promotion of peace and
tranquillity.
For some Powers, claims of promoting human
rights and democracy can last only as long as the
claims can be used as instruments of pressure and
intimidation against other nations. But when it comes
to the interests of the claimants, concepts such as
democracy, the right of self-determination of nations,
respect for the rights and intelligence of peoples, and
international law and justice have no place or value.
That is blatantly manifested in the way in which the
elected Government of the Palestinian people is
treated, as well as in the support extended to the
Zionist regime. It does not matter if people are
murdered in Palestine, turned into refugees, captured,
imprisoned or besieged; that, apparently, does not
violate human rights.
Nations are not equal in exercising their rights as
recognized by international law. Enjoying those rights
is dependent on the whim of certain major Powers.
Apparently, the Security Council can only be used to
ensure the security and the rights of some big Powers.
But when the oppressed are being bombarded and
decimated, the Security Council must remain aloof and
not even call for a ceasefire. Is this not a tragedy of
historic proportions for the Security Council, which is
charged with maintaining the security of countries?
39 06-52737
The prevailing order of contemporary global
interactions is such that certain Powers equate
themselves with the international community and
consider that their decisions supersede those of over
180 other countries. They consider themselves to be
the masters and rulers of the entire world and give
other nations a mere second-class ranking in the world
order.
The question needs to be asked: if the
Governments of the United States or the United
Kingdom, countries which are permanent members of
the Security Council, commit aggression, occupation
and violation of international law, which of the United
Nations organs can call them to account? Can a
Council in which they are privileged members address
their violations? Has that ever happened? In fact, we
have repeatedly seen the reverse. If they have a
difference with a nation or State, they bring the matter
to the Security Council as claimants, then
simultaneously arrogate to themselves the roles of
prosecutor, judge and executioner. Is that a just order?
Can there be a more vivid case of discrimination and
more clear evidence of injustice?
Regrettably, the persistence of some hegemonic
Powers in imposing their exclusionist policies on the
international decision-making mechanisms, including
the Security Council, has resulted in a growing mistrust
on the part of world public opinion that is undermining
the credibility and effectiveness of the most universal
system of collective security. How long can such a
situation last in the world? It is evident that the
behaviour of some Powers constitutes the greatest
challenge before the Security Council, the entire
Organization and its affiliated agencies.
The present structure and working methods of the
Security Council, which are legacies of the Second
World War, are not responsive to the expectations of
the current generation and the contemporary needs of
humanity. Today, it is undeniable that the Security
Council, most critically and urgently, requires
legitimacy and effectiveness. It must be acknowledged
that as long as the Council is unable to act on behalf of
the entire international community in a transparent, just
and democratic manner, it will be neither legitimate
nor effective. Furthermore, the direct relationship
between abuse of the veto power and erosion of the
legitimacy and effectiveness of the Council has now
been clearly and undeniably established. We cannot
and should not expect the eradication, or even the
containment, of injustice, imposition and oppression
without reforming the structure and working methods
of the Council.
Is it appropriate to expect this generation to
submit to decisions and arrangements established over
half a century ago? Does not this generation or future
generations have the right to make their own decisions
about the world in which they want to live?
Today, genuine reform in the structure and
working methods of the Security Council is more
necessary than ever. Justice and democracy dictate that
the role of the General Assembly, as the highest organ
of the United Nations, must be respected. The General
Assembly can then, through appropriate mechanisms,
take on the task of reforming the Organization and, in
particular, rescue the Security Council from its current
state. In the interim, the Non-Aligned Movement, the
Organization of the Islamic Conference and the African
continent should each have permanent-member status
in the Security Council, with veto privilege. The
resulting balance would hopefully prevent further
trampling of the rights of nations.
It is essential that spirituality and ethics find their
rightful place in international relations. Without ethics
and spirituality, attained in the light of the teachings of
the divine prophets, justice, freedom and human rights
cannot be guaranteed. The resolution of contemporary
human crises lies in observing ethics and spirituality
and in the governance of righteous people of high
competence and piety. Should respect for the rights of
human beings become the predominant objective, then
injustice, ill temper, aggression and war will fade
away.
Human beings are all God’s creatures and are all
endowed with dignity and respect. No one has
superiority over others. No individual or State can
arrogate to themselves special privileges; nor can they
disregard the rights of others or position themselves,
through influence and pressure, as the “international
community”.
Citizens of Asia, Africa, Europe and America are
all equal. Over six billion inhabitants of the Earth are
all equal and worthy of respect. Justice and the
protection of human dignity are the two pillars in
maintaining sustainable peace, security and tranquillity
in the world.
06-52737 40
It is for this reason that we state that sustainable
peace and tranquillity in the world can only be attained
through justice, spirituality, ethics, compassion and
respect for human dignity. All nations and States are
entitled to peace, progress and security. We are all
members of the international community, and we are
all entitled to insist on the creation of a climate of
compassion, love and justice.
All Members of the United Nations are affected
by both the bitter and sweet events and developments
in today’s world. We can adopt firm and logical
decisions, thereby improving the prospects for a better
life for current and future generations. Together, we
can eradicate the roots of bitter maladies and
afflictions, and instead, through the promotion of
universal and lasting values, such as ethics, spirituality
and justice, allow our nations to taste the sweetness of
a better future.
Peoples, driven by their divine nature,
intrinsically seek good, virtue, perfection and beauty.
Relying on our peoples, we can take giant steps
towards reform and pave the road to human perfection.
Whether we like it or not, justice, peace and virtue will
sooner or later prevail in the world with the will of
Almighty God. It is imperative, and also desirable, that
we, too, contribute to the promotion of justice and
virtue.
The Almighty and Merciful God, who is the
Creator of the Universe, is also its Lord and Ruler.
Justice is His command. He commands His creatures to
support one another in good, virtue and piety, and not
in decadence or corruption. He commands His
creatures to enjoin one another to righteousness and
virtue and not to sin or transgression. All divine
prophets, from the Prophet Adam (peace be upon him)
to the Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), to the
Prophet Jesus Christ (peace be upon him), to the
Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), have all
called humanity to monotheism, justice, brotherhood,
love and compassion. Is it not possible to build a better
world based on monotheism, justice, love and respect
for the rights of human beings, and thereby transform
animosities into friendship?
I emphatically declare that today’s world, more
than ever before, longs for just and righteous people
with love for all humanity; and above all, it longs for
the perfect righteous human being and the real saviour
who has been promised to all peoples and who will
establish justice, peace and brotherhood on the planet.
O, Almighty God, all men and women are Your
creatures, and You have ordained their guidance and
salvation. Bestow upon humanity that thirsts for justice
the perfect human being promised to all by You, and
make us among his followers and among those who
strive for his return and his cause.