UN rights expert finds pattern of abuses in Iran

A U.N. human rights expert tasked with investigating the situation in Iran says he has collected  “allegations that produce a striking pattern of violations.''

Ahmed Shaheed told the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva that his repeated requests to visit Iran have so far been denied.

Among the violations he cited were the arbitrary arrest of journalists, harsh sentences for human rights lawyers, and cruel forms of punishment.

The 47-nation council appointed Shaheed last year against strong objections from non-member Iran and its allies on the council.

Several European members of the council and the United States welcomed Shaheed's report on Monday. But Cuba and non-member countries such as Sri Lanka, Syria and Belarus criticised the report and called for Shaheed's post to be abolished.