A committee of the United Nations General Assembly has accused Iran of serious human rights violations.
The resolution in the General Assembly's human rights committee was sponsored by the United States, the European Union, Canada, and other Western countries.
In voting November 18, it received 80 votes in favor, 44 against and 57 abstentions.
The resolution expressed "deep concern at serious ongoing human rights violations" in Iran, including torture, flogging, amputations, stoning, and what it called "pervasive gender inequality and violence against women."
It also expressed "particular concern" at what it said was the failure by Iranian authorities to launch a thorough investigation of alleged human rights violations following President Mahmud Ahmadinejad's disputed reelection in 2009.
An Iranian representative, Mohammad Javed Larijani, condemned the resolution as an unnecessary and unfair move orchestrated by the United States.
Larijani is also quoted as saying Iranians do not want their country to be a copy of a "Western democracy."
The resolution is expected to be formally adopted by the General Assembly in December.
compiled from agency reports