Dr. Shaheed requests for permission to travel to Iran

Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, who has been appointed as UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, has appealed for permission to travel to Iran to conduct his duties. The official request of Dr. Shaheed, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Maldives has come weeks after Iran refused to let him enter the country.

Iran had refused to accept Dr. Shaheed’s appointment as the government of Iran believed him to have been an agent employed by Western powers to fulfill their agendas. However, Iran said that they would welcome Dr. Shaheed in his own personal capacity.

A statement issued by Dr. Shaheed yesterday said that he had already submitted a written communication of his interest to work with Iranian authorities on the UN mission. In the statement, Dr. Shaheed expressed his hope that Tehran would comply with international human rights standards.