Iran denounces UN human rights resolution

December 20, 2013 - Iran's state TV is saying the country's foreign ministry has rejected a Unitd Nations human rights resolution, calling it biased. The TV quoted spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham as saying the resolution is ``full of untrustworthy items'' and presents no evidence except reports by western sources and ``terrorist groups.'' Afkham accused the West of systematically violating human rights itself but using claims of its infringement for political gain against other countries. Earlier on Wednesday the U.N. General Assembly approved a resolution criticizing Iran for serious rights violations, including torture. It also said it used the death penalty at an ``alarming'' rate. The vote Wednesday was 86 to 36, with 61 countries abstaining. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding. Iran regularly denies such allegations, calling them politically motivated. (Source: AP)