Iran, 2006

I praise the merciful,

all-knowing and almighty God for blessing me with

another opportunity to address this Assembly on behalf

of the great nation of Iran and to bring a number of

issues to the attention of the international community. I

also praise the Almighty for the increasing vigilance of

peoples across the globe, their courageous presence in

different international settings, and the brave

expression of their views and aspirations regarding

global issues.

Today, humanity passionately craves commitment

to the truth, devotion to God, the quest for justice and

respect for the dignity of human beings. Rejection of

domination and aggression, defence of the oppressed,

and longing for peace constitute the legitimate demand

of the peoples of the world, particularly the new

generations and the spirited youth who aspire to a

world free from decadence, aggression and injustice,

replete with love and compassion. The youth have a

right to seek justice and the truth. They have a right to

build their own future on the foundations of love,

compassion and tranquillity. I praise the Almighty for

this immense blessing.

What afflicts humanity today is certainly not

compatible with human dignity. The Almighty has not

created human beings so that they could transgress

against others and oppress them. By causing war and

conflict, some are quickly expanding their domination,

accumulating greater wealth and usurping all the

resources, while others endure poverty, suffering and

misery as a result.

Some seek to rule the world relying on weapons

and threats, while others live in perpetual insecurity

and danger. Some occupy the homeland of others,

thousands of kilometres away from their borders,

interfere in their affairs and control their oil and other

resources and strategic routes, while others are

bombarded daily in their own homes, their children

murdered in the streets and alleys of their own country,

and their homes reduced to rubble.

Such behaviour is not worthy of human beings

and runs counter to the truth, to justice and to human

dignity. The fundamental question is this: under such

conditions, where should the oppressed seek justice?

Who, or what organization, defends the rights of the

oppressed and suppresses acts of aggression and

oppression? Where is the seat of global justice?

A brief glance at a few examples of the most

pressing global issues further illustrates the problem.

The first is the unbridled expansion of nuclear,

chemical and biological weapons. Some Powers have

proudly announced the production of second- and

third-generation nuclear weapons. What do they need

those weapons for? Is the development and stockpiling

of such deadly weapons designed to promote peace and

democracy? Or, are the weapons actually instruments

of coercion and threat directed against other peoples

and Governments?

How long should the people of the world have to

live with the nightmare of nuclear, biological and

chemical weapons? What binds the Powers that

produce and possess those weapons? How can they be

held accountable by the international community?

Furthermore, are the inhabitants of those countries

content with wasting their wealth and resources on the

production of such destructive arsenals? Is it not

possible to rely on justice, ethics and wisdom instead

of on such instruments of death? Are not wisdom and

justice more compatible with peace and tranquillity

37 06-52737

than nuclear, chemical and biological weapons? If

wisdom, ethics and justice prevail, then oppression and

aggression will be uprooted, threats will wither away

and no reason will remain for conflict.

This is a solid proposition, because most global

conflicts result from injustice and from the fact that the

powerful are not content with their own rights, but

want to deny the rights of others.

People across the globe embrace justice and are

willing to make sacrifices for its sake. Would it not be

easier for the global Powers to ensure their longevity

and win hearts and minds through the championing and

real promotion of justice, compassion and peace, rather

than by continuing the proliferation of nuclear and

chemical weapons and threatening their use?

We have experienced the threat and the use of

nuclear weapons. Has it achieved anything for the

perpetrators other than the exacerbation of tension,

hatred and animosity among nations?

The second issue is the occupation of countries

and the exacerbation of hostilities. The occupation of

Iraq has continued for the past three years. Not a day

goes by without hundreds of people being killed in

cold blood. The occupiers are incapable of establishing

security in Iraq. Despite the establishment of a lawful

Government and the National Assembly of Iraq, covert

and overt efforts are being made to heighten insecurity,

magnify and aggravate differences within Iraqi society

and instigate civil strife.

There is no sign that the occupiers have the

necessary political will to eliminate the sources of

instability. Numerous terrorists were apprehended by

the Government of Iraq, only to be let loose under

various pretexts by the occupiers. It seems that the

intensification of hostilities and terrorism serves as a

pretext for the continued presence of foreign forces in

Iraq.

Where can the people of Iraq seek refuge, and

from whom should the Government of Iraq seek

justice? Who can ensure Iraq’s security? Insecurity in

Iraq affects the entire region. Can the Security Council

play a role in restoring peace and security in Iraq when

the occupiers are themselves permanent members of

the Council? Is the Security Council capable of making

a fair decision in this regard?

Let us consider the situation in Palestine. The

roots of the Palestinian problem go back to the Second

World War. Under the pretext of protecting some of the

survivors of that war, the land of Palestine was

occupied through war and aggression, resulting in the

displacement of millions of its inhabitants. It was

placed under the control of some of the survivors of the

war, who brought even larger population groups from

elsewhere in the world who had not even been affected

by the Second World War. A Government was

established in the territory of others with a population

collected from throughout the world at the cost of

driving millions of the rightful inhabitants of the land

into diaspora and homelessness.

That is a great tragedy with hardly any precedent

in history. Refugees continue to live in temporary

refugee camps, and many have died while still hoping

one day to return to their land. Can any logic, law or

legal reasoning justify this tragedy? Would any

Member of the United Nations accept such a tragedy if

it occurred in its own homeland?

The pretexts for the creation of the regime

occupying Al-Quds al-Sharif are so weak that its

supporters want to silence any voice that tries merely

to speak about them, as they are concerned that

shedding light on the facts would undermine the raison

d’être of the regime — as, indeed, it has done. The

tragedy did not end with the establishment of a regime

on the territory of others. Regrettably, from its

inception, that regime has been a constant source of

threat and insecurity in the Middle East region —

waging war, spilling blood and impeding the progress

of countries in the region. It has also been used by

some Powers as an instrument of division, coercion

and pressure on the people of the region.

Reference to those historical realities may cause

some disquiet among supporters of that regime. But

these are simple facts, not myths. History has unfolded

before our eyes. Worse still is the unwarranted blanket

support provided to the regime. We need only watch

what is happening in the Palestinian land. People are

being bombarded in their own homes and their children

murdered in their own streets and alleys. But no

authority, not even the Security Council, can afford

them any support or protection. Why?

Meanwhile, a Government has been formed

democratically and through the free choice of the

electorate in a part of the Palestinian territory. But

instead of receiving the support of the so-called

champions of democracy, its ministers and members of

06-52737 38

parliament have been illegally abducted and

incarcerated in full view of the international

community.

What council or international organization is

standing up to protect this brutally besieged

Government? Why cannot the Security Council take

any steps?

I should like now to address the issue of

Lebanon. For 33 long days, the Lebanese lived under a

barrage of fire and bombs, and close to 1.5 million of

them were displaced. Meanwhile, some members of the

Security Council practically chose a path that provided

ample opportunity for the aggressor to achieve its

objectives militarily. We saw the Security Council

practically incapacitated by certain Powers so that it

could not even call for a ceasefire. The Security

Council sat idly by for many days, witnessing cruel

scenes of atrocities against the Lebanese, while

tragedies such as the one that occurred at Qana were

persistently repeated. Why?

In all of these cases, the answer is self-evident.

When the Power behind the hostilities is itself a

permanent member of the Security Council, how can

the Council fulfil its responsibilities?

The third issue is lack of respect for the rights of

members of the international community.

I now wish to speak about some of the grievances

of the Iranian people and about the injustices against

them.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is a member of the

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and is

committed to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of

Nuclear Weapons (NPT). All our nuclear activities are

transparent and peaceful and are under the watchful

eyes of IAEA inspectors. Why then are there objections

to our legally recognized rights? Which Governments

object to those rights? Governments that themselves

benefit from nuclear energy and the fuel cycle. Some

of them have abused nuclear technology for non-

peaceful ends, including the production of nuclear

bombs, and some even have a bleak record of using

them against humanity.

Which organization or council should address

those injustices? Is the Security Council in a position

to address them? Can it stop violations of the

inalienable rights of countries? Can it prevent certain

Powers from impeding the scientific progress of other

countries? The abuse of the Security Council, as an

instrument of threat and coercion, is indeed a source of

grave concern. Some permanent members of the

Security Council, even when they are themselves

parties to international disputes, conveniently threaten

others with the Security Council and, even before any

decision by the Council, proclaim the Council’s

condemnation of their opponents.

The question is: what can justify such

exploitation of the Security Council, and do not such

acts erode its credibility and effectiveness? Can such

behaviour strengthen the ability of the Council to

maintain security?

A review of recent historical realities would lead

to the regrettable conclusion that justice has become a

victim of force and aggression. Many global

arrangements have become unjust, discriminatory and

irresponsible as a result of undue pressure from some

of the powerful nations. Threats to use nuclear

weapons and other instruments of war, by some powers

have taken the place of respect for the rights of nations

and the maintenance and promotion of peace and

tranquillity.

For some Powers, claims of promoting human

rights and democracy can last only as long as the

claims can be used as instruments of pressure and

intimidation against other nations. But when it comes

to the interests of the claimants, concepts such as

democracy, the right of self-determination of nations,

respect for the rights and intelligence of peoples, and

international law and justice have no place or value.

That is blatantly manifested in the way in which the

elected Government of the Palestinian people is

treated, as well as in the support extended to the

Zionist regime. It does not matter if people are

murdered in Palestine, turned into refugees, captured,

imprisoned or besieged; that, apparently, does not

violate human rights.

Nations are not equal in exercising their rights as

recognized by international law. Enjoying those rights

is dependent on the whim of certain major Powers.

Apparently, the Security Council can only be used to

ensure the security and the rights of some big Powers.

But when the oppressed are being bombarded and

decimated, the Security Council must remain aloof and

not even call for a ceasefire. Is this not a tragedy of

historic proportions for the Security Council, which is

charged with maintaining the security of countries?

39 06-52737

The prevailing order of contemporary global

interactions is such that certain Powers equate

themselves with the international community and

consider that their decisions supersede those of over

180 other countries. They consider themselves to be

the masters and rulers of the entire world and give

other nations a mere second-class ranking in the world

order.

The question needs to be asked: if the

Governments of the United States or the United

Kingdom, countries which are permanent members of

the Security Council, commit aggression, occupation

and violation of international law, which of the United

Nations organs can call them to account? Can a

Council in which they are privileged members address

their violations? Has that ever happened? In fact, we

have repeatedly seen the reverse. If they have a

difference with a nation or State, they bring the matter

to the Security Council as claimants, then

simultaneously arrogate to themselves the roles of

prosecutor, judge and executioner. Is that a just order?

Can there be a more vivid case of discrimination and

more clear evidence of injustice?

Regrettably, the persistence of some hegemonic

Powers in imposing their exclusionist policies on the

international decision-making mechanisms, including

the Security Council, has resulted in a growing mistrust

on the part of world public opinion that is undermining

the credibility and effectiveness of the most universal

system of collective security. How long can such a

situation last in the world? It is evident that the

behaviour of some Powers constitutes the greatest

challenge before the Security Council, the entire

Organization and its affiliated agencies.

The present structure and working methods of the

Security Council, which are legacies of the Second

World War, are not responsive to the expectations of

the current generation and the contemporary needs of

humanity. Today, it is undeniable that the Security

Council, most critically and urgently, requires

legitimacy and effectiveness. It must be acknowledged

that as long as the Council is unable to act on behalf of

the entire international community in a transparent, just

and democratic manner, it will be neither legitimate

nor effective. Furthermore, the direct relationship

between abuse of the veto power and erosion of the

legitimacy and effectiveness of the Council has now

been clearly and undeniably established. We cannot

and should not expect the eradication, or even the

containment, of injustice, imposition and oppression

without reforming the structure and working methods

of the Council.

Is it appropriate to expect this generation to

submit to decisions and arrangements established over

half a century ago? Does not this generation or future

generations have the right to make their own decisions

about the world in which they want to live?

Today, genuine reform in the structure and

working methods of the Security Council is more

necessary than ever. Justice and democracy dictate that

the role of the General Assembly, as the highest organ

of the United Nations, must be respected. The General

Assembly can then, through appropriate mechanisms,

take on the task of reforming the Organization and, in

particular, rescue the Security Council from its current

state. In the interim, the Non-Aligned Movement, the

Organization of the Islamic Conference and the African

continent should each have permanent-member status

in the Security Council, with veto privilege. The

resulting balance would hopefully prevent further

trampling of the rights of nations.

It is essential that spirituality and ethics find their

rightful place in international relations. Without ethics

and spirituality, attained in the light of the teachings of

the divine prophets, justice, freedom and human rights

cannot be guaranteed. The resolution of contemporary

human crises lies in observing ethics and spirituality

and in the governance of righteous people of high

competence and piety. Should respect for the rights of

human beings become the predominant objective, then

injustice, ill temper, aggression and war will fade

away.

Human beings are all God’s creatures and are all

endowed with dignity and respect. No one has

superiority over others. No individual or State can

arrogate to themselves special privileges; nor can they

disregard the rights of others or position themselves,

through influence and pressure, as the “international

community”.

Citizens of Asia, Africa, Europe and America are

all equal. Over six billion inhabitants of the Earth are

all equal and worthy of respect. Justice and the

protection of human dignity are the two pillars in

maintaining sustainable peace, security and tranquillity

in the world.

06-52737 40

It is for this reason that we state that sustainable

peace and tranquillity in the world can only be attained

through justice, spirituality, ethics, compassion and

respect for human dignity. All nations and States are

entitled to peace, progress and security. We are all

members of the international community, and we are

all entitled to insist on the creation of a climate of

compassion, love and justice.

All Members of the United Nations are affected

by both the bitter and sweet events and developments

in today’s world. We can adopt firm and logical

decisions, thereby improving the prospects for a better

life for current and future generations. Together, we

can eradicate the roots of bitter maladies and

afflictions, and instead, through the promotion of

universal and lasting values, such as ethics, spirituality

and justice, allow our nations to taste the sweetness of

a better future.

Peoples, driven by their divine nature,

intrinsically seek good, virtue, perfection and beauty.

Relying on our peoples, we can take giant steps

towards reform and pave the road to human perfection.

Whether we like it or not, justice, peace and virtue will

sooner or later prevail in the world with the will of

Almighty God. It is imperative, and also desirable, that

we, too, contribute to the promotion of justice and

virtue.

The Almighty and Merciful God, who is the

Creator of the Universe, is also its Lord and Ruler.

Justice is His command. He commands His creatures to

support one another in good, virtue and piety, and not

in decadence or corruption. He commands His

creatures to enjoin one another to righteousness and

virtue and not to sin or transgression. All divine

prophets, from the Prophet Adam (peace be upon him)

to the Prophet Moses (peace be upon him), to the

Prophet Jesus Christ (peace be upon him), to the

Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), have all

called humanity to monotheism, justice, brotherhood,

love and compassion. Is it not possible to build a better

world based on monotheism, justice, love and respect

for the rights of human beings, and thereby transform

animosities into friendship?

I emphatically declare that today’s world, more

than ever before, longs for just and righteous people

with love for all humanity; and above all, it longs for

the perfect righteous human being and the real saviour

who has been promised to all peoples and who will

establish justice, peace and brotherhood on the planet.

O, Almighty God, all men and women are Your

creatures, and You have ordained their guidance and

salvation. Bestow upon humanity that thirsts for justice

the perfect human being promised to all by You, and

make us among his followers and among those who

strive for his return and his cause.