Deepali Kalia –
Iran on June 3rd condemned the decision by United Nations of suspending its voting rights because of its failure to pay its dues as “Fundamentally flawed, entirely unacceptable and completely unjustified”.
Iran’s voting rights were suspended in January at the UN General Assembly under rules for countries whose arrears are equal to or exceed their contributions due for the past two years.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in a letter sent on June 3rd to UN chief Antonio Guterres stated that, “Iran’s inability to fulfill its financial obligation toward the United Nations is directly caused by ‘unlawful unilateral sanctions’ imposed by the United States”.
Zarif stated that Tehran’s “Incapacity to transfer its financial contribution has been entirely beyond its control”. Tehran at present owes about $16.2 million to the UN.
In a May 28 letter to the UN General Assembly Guterres stated that five nations were precluded from voting because of their failure to pay arrears but also added that the UN could allow them to vote if they couldn’t pay their dues due to conditions beyond their control.
Zarif urged the UN leadership to “Remain true to the purposes and principles” of the UN charter, and to “Refrain from any decision that betrays the spirit of sovereign equality of member states, and weakens multilateralism”.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres stated that very intense discussions have been taking place with Iran in order to find a solution.
“It is not from lack of trying, either on our side or their side… but the country falls under a number of bilateral sanctions which makes it a bit challenging.” Dujarric stated.