JUSTICE MINISTER’S SPEECH HIGHLIGHTS IRAN’S ONGOING DISREGARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS 3/1/2018 7:45:44 PM   facebook Google+ ► Print Yet Iran remains one of only approximately a half dozen countries that continue to carry out such executions. IRAN NEWS UPDATE, 01  March 20  18 -- On Wednesday, the UN Dispatch pointed to the previous day’s speech to the UN Human Rights Council by Iranian Justice Minister Alireza Avaei, in order to highlight the “contentious” relationship between that body and the Islamic Republic. Avaei’s speech had been a source of controversy since the list of speakers at the newly opened session of the HRC was publicized last week. The council noted that the Iranian official was not directly invited and that any UN member state may address a session’s opening and choose its own representative. Nonetheless, human rights activists and opponents of Iran’s clerical regime urged world powers and the HRC to condemn Avaei and ca...