A/HRC/14/12 had been held for prison staff and managers. Prisoners also had access to high- school education and distance university education. Moreover, Iran had attempted to eliminate solitary prison cells where possible and to expand their size. 45. The delegation added that the sentence of execution was recognized in international human rights documents and the legal systems of many countries. Iran considered execution as permissible only for the most serious crimes and after due process, including review by the Supreme Court. 46. Stressing the values of Iran’s democratic system, the delegation noted that more than 32 elections had been held over the previous three decades, permitting the participation of all political parties, which had various orientations. More than 40 million people had cast their votes in the June 2009 presidential elections. Cast ballots had been meticulously collected and counted, with the participation of legal and official inspectors and some 90,000 independent observers. 47. Legitimate protests would be a post facto symptom of free and democratic elections, but the repercussions of this election were related to foreign powers meddling in Iran’s internal affairs. Iran had addressed the protests through various legal and judicial procedures, the delegation stated. All cases were being duly and openly addressed in competent courts, and defendants had access to their chosen lawyers. High-ranking judicial officials meticulously examined allegations of rights violations. The delegation called for respect for democracy and ensuring the integrity of the vote of the majority in sovereign States. 48. Regarding freedom of assembly, the delegation cited figures showing that on average, more than 5,000 public demonstrations, marches and assemblies were held annually in Iran. Legal assembly required prior permission to ensure the safety of participants. It warned that such activists seeking asylum under human rights pretexts would block the fight against fatal terrorism internationally. 49. Indonesia noted the formulation of legislation aimed at the establishment of a national human rights institution and the upcoming drafting of a strategic national action plan on human rights. Indonesia welcomed policies to promote women’s representation in political and judicial institutions and to broaden the scope of their rights, and acknowledged the human rights training of judges and law enforcement personnel. 50. New Zealand noted that Iran’s post-election response had fallen short of international human rights standards and expressed concern about the scale and nature of violence. It welcomed the closure of the Kahrizak detention facility and the Majlis’ investigation into alleged violations of detainees’ rights. It noted that the use of torture for punitive purposes had not been criminalized and that, despite the moratorium on stoning, it persisted as a Shari’a court-mandated punishment. It was concerned about Baha’i persecution, especially the Yarran trial on the 2008 Shiraz cultural centre bombing. 51. Poland expressed concern at discrimination and limitations regarding the rights of religious minorities and cases of harassment, intimidation and imprisonment. It noted that at least 20 people had been killed in post-election protests and hundreds injured, also citing concerns of the High Commissioner for Human Rights about increasing arrests and the possible illegal use of excessive force. It welcomed the drafting of legislation aimed at establishing a national human rights institution and its forthcoming presentation to the Islamic Consultative Assembly. 52. Qatar noted that the national report reflected developments in the field of human rights, in addition to efforts taken to improve the promotion and protection of human rights and the economic and social conditions of Iran’s citizens. 8