weakened by the cumulative effect of sanctions” but also the already existing national healthcare system.8
B. The Special Rapporteur recommends that the Government and Parliament: to
meet its obligations under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights, including on the protection of vulnerable groups.
Although exacerbating discrimination, the economic sanctions are not responsible for the lack of
protection of vulnerable groups in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Indeed, the lack of protection of
vulnerable groups, as well as discriminatory practices in contravention of the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, stems from Iranian law.
Article 14 of the Constitution stipulates that the government and Muslims in Iran are “dutybound to treat non-Muslims in conformity with ethical norms and the principles of Islamic
justice and equity, and to respect their citizen rights”. 9 Additionally, Article 19 of the
Constitution omits an explicit provision recognizing religion or belief as a protected
characteristic against discrimination.10 Article 23 of the Constitution stipulates that “the
investigation of individuals’ beliefs is forbidden, and no one may be molested or taken to task
simply for holding a certain belief.” 11
These protections, however, only apply to those “who refrain from engaging in conspiracy or
activity against Islam and the Islamic Republic of Iran”.
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran names the Twelver Ja’fari School of Shia Islam
as the state religion. Only Muslim minorities (including Sunnis), Zorostrian, Jewish and
Christian Iranians are recognized under the Constitution.12 Because there are no laws
safeguarding the right of religious minorities to worship, maintain places of worship or assemble,
the structural exclusion of other religious minorities leaves them without legal protection to
manifest and practice their religion or belief. Further, regulations may actively discriminate
against members belonging to unrecognized religious minorities. For instance, a new rule
proclaimed in January 2020, will only allow citizens to register as one of the country’s
recognized religions to the state-issued National Identity Card—which is required for almost all
8
Report of the UN Secretary General on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, August 2020,
https://undocs.org/Home/Mobile?FinalSymbol=A%2F75%2F287&Language=E&DeviceType=Desktop
9
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wpcontent/uploads/constitution-english-1368.pdf
10
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wpcontent/uploads/constitution-english-1368.pdf
11
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wpcontent/uploads/constitution-english-1368.pdf
12
Articles 12 and 13 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wpcontent/uploads/constitution-english-1368.pdf
2