Iran, Iraq want more cooperation on human rights issue
A senior Iranian official has underlined the need for cooperation among Iran, Iraq and other nations to campaign against attempts by certain states to politicize the issue of human rights to advance their personal agendas.
At a Wednesday meeting with Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Ja’afari on the sidelines of the summit of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned against the ramifications of exploiting the issue of human rights as a political tool.
“If this wrong approach continues, its repercussions will affect other independent and developing countries as well,” Araqchi warned.
The Iranian diplomat further congratulated Iraq on its appointment as a UNHRC member and expressed gratitude for Baghdad’s opposition to the biased anti-Iran resolutions of the UN body.
Araqchi pointed to preliminary Iran-Iraq talks on human rights issues and called for the continuation of such meetings in an effort to strengthen cooperation at international organizations.
Ja’afari, for his part, welcomed closer Tehran-Baghdad cooperation on the issue of human rights.
He also stressed Iraq’s resolve to oppose politically-motivated measures taken under the guise of human rights against neighboring Iran, whose nation and government have been a major victim of terrorism.
Fight against Daesh
Elsewhere in his remarks, Araqchi also hailed Iraq’s achievements in the battle against Daesh Takfiri terrorists in the northern city of Mosul, calling for concerted efforts by all countries to launch an effective campaign against all forms of terrorism.
Ja’afari further thanked Iran for standing by Baghdad in its fight against Daesh.
Iraqi soldiers and Hashd al-Sha’abi fighters have made several achievements in their new offensive to liberate the strategic northern city of Mosul from Daesh since February 19.
At Baghdad’s request, Iran has been providing military advisory assistance to Iraq in its counter-terrorism campaign.
