Egypt abstains from voting on a UN Human Rights Council resolution on Iran
Author : Rana Moustafa Essawy Published at : Jan 23, 2026
Rana Moustafa Essawy
On the 23 January 2026, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted resolution A/HRC/S.39/L.1 by a vote of 25 in favour, 7 against and 14 abstentions, at the thirty-ninth special session on the deteriorating human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The resolution extends the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran for two years, and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran for one year. The resolution also called for an urgent investigation by the Fact-Finding Mission, in the context of the nationwide protests beginning 28 December 2025.
Egypt abstained from voting on the aforementioned resolution. Speaking before the vote, Egypt reaffirmed the HRC's role in supporting and promioting human rights around the world in a balanced and fair manner based on neutrality, objectivity, and non-politicization. It further reaffirmed that the right to peaceful assembly is guaranteed to all based on the determinants and standards stipulated in ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights). It also emphasized also that the creation of HRC mechanism or expansion must be based on the consent of the country concerned which strenghtens cooperation and dialogue and supports the countries in fulfilling their obligations in promoting and protecting human rights.