Item 8 - General debate. On death penalty in Iran. JST Lichtestein (30.09.2026)



Statement at the 63rd Session of the Human Rights Council

General debate under agenda item 8

30 September 2026 

Mr. Daniel Batliner

 Permanent Mission of the Principality of Liechtenstein

 

                                                                             



                                                                       Check against delivery
30 September 2026

Thank you, Mister President,

I deliver this statement on behalf of over 40 States who strongly condemn the continued and escalating use of the death penalty in Iran.

Recent statements by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur on Iran and the findings of the Independent, International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran have highlighted a sharp rise in executions and death sentences, particularly in cases linked to protests and the exercise of fundamental freedoms.

At least thirty-one protestors have been executed following January’s brutal crackdown by security forces with dozens of protesters sentenced to death and at imminent risk of execution, including women and children. The use of public execution is particularly alarming. We note the findings of UN experts that the death penalty is being used to instill fear, suppress dissent and deter peaceful expression and assembly.

We are also concerned by reports that individuals have been sentenced to death following proceedings that appear to fall far short of international fair trial standards, including allegations of closed hearings, denial of due process guarantees, torture and ill-treatment, enforced disappearances, and coerced confessions.

No one should face the fear of execution for exercising their rights or seeking to make their voice heard. Iran must immediately halt its abhorrent use of the death penalty.

Thank you, Mr. President.

 

List of supporters (at the time of delivery):

 

  1. Albania
  2. Andorra
  3. Australia
  4. Austria
  5. Belgium
  6. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  7. Canada
  8. Chile
  9. Costa Rica
  10. Croatia
  11. Czechia
  12. Cyprus
  13. Denmark
  14. Estonia
  15. Finland
  16. France
  17. Germany
  18. Greece
  19. Hungary
  20. Iceland
  21. Ireland
  22. Italy
  23. Latvia
  24. Liechtenstein
  25. Lithuania
  26. Luxembourg
  27. Malta
  28. Marshall Islands
  29. Monaco
  30. Montenegro
  31. Netherlands
  32. New Zealand
  33. North Macedonia
  34. Norway
  35. Portugal
  36. Republic of Moldova
  37. Romania
  38. San Marino
  39. Slovakia
  40. Slovenia
  41. Spain
  42. Sweden
  43. Switzerland
  44. Ukraine
  45. United Kingdom