Human Rights Council 55th session
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Islamic Republic of Iran.
Statement by Finland on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic Countries delivered by Lithuania on behalf of the Nordic - Baltic Countries; Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
18 March 2024
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries. We thank the Special Rapporteur for his valuable report and his longstanding commitment to the people of Iran.
Systemic discrimination against women and girls in the Islamic Republic of Iran intensifies. We are profoundly concerned by the pending bill imposing even stricter punishments for defying compulsory veiling laws. Meanwhile, women are continuously persecuted and physically assaulted. Reports of the use of sexual and gender-based violence to suppress dissent are shocking.
Like the Special Rapporteur, we are deeply alarmed by the sharp spike in executions and violations of due process. Iran must impose an immediate moratorium on executions and pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of the death penalty.
Crackdown on civic space persists, affecting human rights defenders, persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, civil society organisations, journalists and lawyers, among others. Authorities continue to shut down avenues of freedom of expression, online and offline. We urge Iran to cease harassment of human rights defenders and to release all unjustly or arbitrarily detained, including foreign citizens and dual nationals.
Finally, we urge the Iranian authorities to fully cooperate with the Council’s mechanisms.
Distinguished Special Rapporteur – how can we better support civil society in Iran?
Thank you.