TEHRAN The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, here on Sunday, conferred with Vice President Masoumeh Ebtekar who heads Iran's Environment Protection Organization. Ms. Ebtekar stated that preservation of environment falls within the scope of human rights, adding, There is a definite relation between the environment and human beings individual and social rights, and polluting the environment actually constitutes the violation of people's rights.'' In light of the environment's paramount importance, Ebtekar added that there are numerous organizations in the Islamic Republic which are active in environmental issues.

Referring to the significant role the Iranian women play in the country's affairs, Ebtekar called for UN recognition of the fact that women's rights is fully observed in the Islamic Republic of Iran. ``Regrettably, so far a distorted image of Iranian women has been presented in the West which even portrays their Hijab (Islamic dress code) as a detriment to their social activity,'' she said, adding that the Iranian women, observing the Islamic dress code, have a major involvement in all the country's affairs.

The UN official expressed satisfaction with her visit to Iran, further expressing hope for expansion of cooperation between the world body and the Islamic Republic over environmental issues. Robinson arrived in Tehran on Saturday to attend the workshop on regional human rights arrangements in the Asia-Pacific region. According to UN Office in Tehran, Robinson left Iran late Sunday. She held talks here with several officials, including Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, and several members of non-governmental organizations.

(IRNA)