US will maintain sanctions on Iran's human rights abusers

US will maintain sanctions on Iran's human rights abusers

The United States will maintain sanctions on human rights abusers in Iran, which must allow a UN special rapporteur to visit the regime, the US National Security Advisor Susan Rice said this week.

She named the Iranian regime as among the world's worst abusers and where leaders use their 'tyrant’s tool kit of repression to retain power'.

Ms Rice was speaking at the Human Rights First Annual Summit in Washington DC on December 4, where she told delegates: "In Iran, as we test the potential for a diplomatic resolution to the nuclear issue, we are mindful that another key test is whether we begin to see progress on human rights.

"We call on the government to allow the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran to visit the country."

She added: "Our sanctions on Iran’s human rights abusers will continue and so will our support for the fundamental rights of all Iranians.

"The Iranian people deserve the same right to express themselves online and through social media as their leaders enjoy."