And Iran is still a member of the UN Human Rights Council.

Tehran, 21 July (AKI) — Iran has barred a United Nations representative on human rights from entering the country, according to state media reports.

“Appointing a UN Special Rapporteur on human rights for Iran is a political and illegal move, and the Islamic Republic will not allow the envoy to enter the country under any circumstances,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said on Thursday, according to a Press TV report.

Last month, the UN Human Rights Council named former Maldivian foreign minister Ahmed Shaheed as its human rights investigator on Iran.

The appointment was ”spearheaded” by the United States to be used as a “Western tool” against the Iran, Shaheed said.

The appointment was made following outcries by human rights groups about Iran’s use of capital punishment and imprisonment of percieved critics of the goverment.