HRC52 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran

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HRC52 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran

20.03.2023 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

United Nations Human Rights Council

52^th session

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran

20 March 2022

EU Statement

The EU thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report.

Unfortunately, the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran continuously deteriorated during the reporting period. The EU strongly condemns the way the Iranian authorities have handled the peaceful protests that occurred after the death in police custody of Jina Mahsa Amini. This includes the unjustified use of lethal force, as well as torture and ill-treatment, against protesters and detainees, which resulted to the death of hundreds of people, including children. The EU calls for accountability for the crimes committed.

We are also highly concerned about the widespread violations of the rights of women and girls. The existing legal provisions clearly violate women and girls' rights, including their right to sexual and reproductive health, and expose them to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, including in detention centers. The EU urges the Iranian authorities to repeal all discriminatory laws and introduce policies to achieve equality for women and girls in law and practice.

Moreover, the EU strongly opposes the use of the death penalty at all times and in all circumstances. The EU firmly condemns the executions of protesters subsequent to trials, which did not respect the guarantees for fair trial, and we express our deep concern for those that have been sentenced to death and are facing execution. The EU calls on Iran to comply with its obligations pursuant to the ICCPR, including in relation to the imposition and carrying out of the death penalty. The EU further urges the Islamic Republic of Iran to adopt a policy towards the abolition of capital punishment and introduce a moratorium.

The EU expresses serious concern of the ever-increasing restrictions of civic space, including through heavy disruption of the Internet and censorship of social media platforms. Human rights defenders, political dissidents, women's rights activists, journalists, lawyers and academics among others, are harassed and targeted inside and outside Iran, and persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression, both online and offline. We also condemn the widespread violence and discrimination against persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities. The EU calls on Iranian authorities to cease the practice of arbitrary arrests and detentions, including of dual and foreign nationals, and urges for the liberation of all those still in arbitrary detention.

Finally, the EU urges the Iranian authorities to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and the Fact-Finding Mission.

Thank you.