UN rights monitor condemns Marwa's murder

In response to a letter form Iran's parliament, UN's top human rights monitor has condemned the death of an Egyptian woman brutally killed in a courtroom in the German city of Dresden.

Egyptian researcher, Marwa El-Sherbini was killed in early July when she sued her neighbor for insulting her and calling her a terrorist for wearing a headscarf.

The defendant approached the witness stand during the hearing, stabbed Marwa 18 times in front of her 3-year-old son while the whole jury and court officials stood by and watched.

Her husband, Elwi Ali Okaz, who attempted to shield his wife, was shot by security guards who said they had confused him with the assailant.

Iranian lawmaker, Fatemeh Alia had in July written to Navanethem Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to express Iran's concern over the disturbing increase of Xenophobic sentiments in the West.

Alia who also heads the human rights committee of Iran's parliament, had called on the human rights monitor to take into consideration the circumstances of El-Sherbini's murder.

"I have read your letter of 14 July 2009 concerning the murder of Ms. Marveh Sharbini and I fully share your feelings of sadness and consternation," Pillay wrote in response.

The letter obtained by Press TV, also denounces all forms of "racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in all parts of the world."

"I condemn all manifestations thereof," the UN official added.