GENEVA (Dispatches) -- UN General Assembly President Csaba Korosi has commended a decree by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei granting amnesty to a large number of Iranian prisoners, saying the move deserves appreciation.
Korosi made the remarks during a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Hussein Amir-Abdollahian on the sidelines of the 52nd regular session of the Human Rights Council in the Swiss city of Geneva on Tuesday.
On February 5, Ayatollah Khamenei pardoned or commuted the sentences of a large number of Iranian prisoners arrested during the recent foreign-backed riots in the country.
Ayatollah Khamenei issued the amnesty on the occasion of the 44th anniversary of the glorious victory of the Islamic Revolution, which put an end to the ruling of the U.S.-backed Pahlavi regime in the country in 1979, and the birthday anniversary of the first Shia Imam, Imam Ali (AS).
The Leader regularly issues such decrees on the occasion of religious festivities.
Korosi further thanked Iran for hosting over five million Afghan refugees despite the challenges it faces due to Western sanctions.
He also expressed hope for the resumption of negotiations between the parties to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), to revive the agreement, which he said “will be to the benefit of world peace and security.”
Korosi also appreciated Iran’s presence in the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva.
Amir-Abdollahian, for his part, emphasized that respect for human rights is rooted in Iranian culture and beliefs, assuring that the Islamic Republic will continue its cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Geneva on Monday morning at the head of a delegation to attend and speak at the UN Human Rights Council meeting.
The top Iranian diplomat met the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Monday, where they agreed to boost cooperation and hold talks in the future over various aspects of human rights.
During the meeting, Amir-Abdollahian outlined the Islamic Republic’s principled stance on human rights issues and violation of the Iranian nation’s rights by the U.S. through its cruel and inhumane sanctions.