There have been no improvements in the human rights situation for religious and ethnic minorities in Iran, including for Baha’is, said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in his annual report on Iran to the UN General Assembly.

“Religious minorities such as Baha’is and Christians face violations entrenched in law and in practice. Harassment, home raids and incitement to hatred are reportedly commonly applied by the authorities to suppress the Baha’i community,” said Mr. Ban in a report dated 12 August but released last week.

In his report, which can be read in full here, Mr. Ban also said he was “alarmed” about the “sharp rise in executions” in Iran. He expressed continued concern about the use of “cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment,” restrictions on freedom of assembly and expression, and discrimination against women.

Mr. Ban also said President Hassan Rouhani has not delivered on the promises he made last year about improving human rights.

“The President made promising pledges during the election campaign to address serious human rights concerns, including by introducing a Citizens’ Rights Charter, eliminating discrimination against women and ethnic minorities, promoting freedom of expression and alleviating censorship,” said Mr. Ban.

“Although the draft Citizens’ Rights Charter has been presented for public comments, it falls short of international human rights standards and fails to address concerns persistently raised by the United Nations human rights mechanisms.”