A/HRC/14/12 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 of 18 June 2007, held its seventh session from 8 to 19 February 2010. The review of the Islamic Republic of Iran was held at the 11th meeting, on 15 February 2010. The delegation of Iran was headed by the Secretary General of the High Council for Human Rights, Judiciary, Mohammad Javad Larijani. At its meeting held on 17 February 2010, the Working Group adopted the report on Iran. 2. On 7 September 2009, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Iran: Mexico, Pakistan and Senegal. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to resolution 5/1, the following documents were issued for the review of Iran: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/7/IRN/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/7/IRN/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/7/IRN/3). 4. A list of questions was prepared in advance by Argentina, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and was transmitted to the Islamic Republic of Iran through the troika. Those questions are available on the extranet of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. Welcoming the review of the Islamic Republic of Iran as an opportunity to enhance knowledge about the situation of human rights in the country, the delegation of Iran remarked that it was through cooperation, respect and a willingness to listen to one another that a culture of human rights could be promoted. 6. The delegation noted that the 1979 Islamic Revolution had led to the creation of a new system of democratic polity and social and civil order based on Islamic rationality. It underscored explicit and extensive human rights references in the Constitution, such as chapter 7, on “The right of people”. Article 6 provides that all major decisions on all matters, including representation in high office, should be based on the people’s consent. It noted that the judiciary was independent from the executive and legislative branches, with the requisite principles to ensure due process. 7. In 2005, the High Council of Human Rights, established in 2001 to improve coordination, became the highest institution entrusted with supervision, monitoring and guidance of different sections on human rights. 8. The delegation noted the country’s diverse ethnic and religious composition and the variety of traditions, customs and languages that made it a model of brotherly and amicable coexistence. In order to nurture that relationship and ensure that all nationals enjoyed the 3