United Nations condemns human rights abuses in Iran, North Korea

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 17 (Reuters) - The 193-member United Nations General Assembly on Thursday condemned human rights abuses in North Korea and Iran, a rebuke rejected by Pyongyang and Tehran. Iran resolution received 81 votes in favor, 37 against and 67 abstentions. 
The resolution on Iran, which was drafted by Canada, criticized Tehran for cracking down on activists, journalists and dissidents and for its increased use of the death penalty. 
UN General Assembly resolutions are non-binding but can carry political weight. The resolutions on human rights in Iran and North Korea have become an annual event. 
Afghanistan, China, Egypt, Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Sudan and Syria were among the states that voted against the resolution. 
Similar resolutions on human rights in Syria and Myanmar are due to be voted on at a later date.