Item 4 - Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran (HRC res. S-35/1). JST Costa Rica (18.03.2024)

Misión Permanente de Costa Rica en Ginebra

55ª Sesión del Consejo de Derechos Humanos

Intervención conjunta – Joint Statement

Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran (HRC res. S-35/1).

15th of March, 2024

                                                                 [check against delivery]

Thank you, Mr President,

I am delivering this statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of 5 countries, its full version is available in the Extranet.

We thank the FFM for carrying out their work.

The FFM has recorded patterns of serious violations of human rights including the use of excessive and lethal force against protesters. The report also finds that violence against women and children was widespread throughout the security forces’ response to the protests.

The report concludes that some of these acts may amount to crimes against humanity, including the crime against humanity of gender persecution.

Mr President, the human rights situation in Iran has worsened. We remain deeply concerned about the rights of women and girls. If adopted, the "Bill to Support the Family by Promoting the Culture of Chastity and Hijab" will restrict women’s rights further; a breach of the mandatory hijab will carry punishment of up to ten years in prison in addition to flogging, crushing fines, travel restrictions and deprivation of online access.

We urge the Iranian authorities to take steps to eliminate this and all other forms of gender-based discrimination, end the cycle of violence, cease the suppression of protests and open civic space to allow for dissenting voices, and allow journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders to carry out their work freely.

Impunity cannot continue, calls for justice cannot remain unanswered, accountability must prevail.

Thank you.

List of co-sponsors (as of 14:30h 22 March 2024):

  1. Albania
  2. Andorra
  3. Australia
  4. Austria
  5. Argentina
  6. Belgium
  7. Bulgaria
  8. Canada
  9. Colombia
  10. Costa Rica
  11. Chile
  12. Croatia
  13. Cyprus
  14. Czech Republic
  15. Denmark
  16. Ecuador
  17. Estonia
  18. Finland
  19. France
  20. Germany
  21. Greece
  22. Guatemala
  23. Hungary
  24. Iceland
  25. Ireland
  26. Israel
  27. Italy
  28. Latvia
  29. Luxembourg
  30. Liechtenstein
  31. Lithuania
  32. Malta
  33. Marshall Islands
  34. Moldova
  35. Monaco
  36. Montenegro
  37. Netherlands
  38. New Zealand
  39. North Macedonia
  40. Norway
  41. Paraguay
  42. Poland
  43. Portugal
  44. Republic of Korea
  45. Romania
  46. San Marino
  47. Slovenia
  48. Slovakia
  49. Spain
  50. Sweden
  51. Switzerland
  52. Ukraine
  53. United Kingdom
  54. United States
  55. Uruguay