UN Human Rights Council 46: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran

The United Kingdom welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s report and the important opportunity to discuss the human rights situation in Iran.

The Government of Iran continues to target and violate the human rights of its people, particularly human rights defenders, lawyers, dual and foreign nationals, activists, journalists and minorities. Violent crackdowns against protestors, arbitrary arrest, and detentions continue. It is appalling that Iran reportedly executed at least 230 people between 1 January and 1 December last year. We have consistently made clear to Iran that violations of human rights are unacceptable, and will continue to work with the Special Rapporteur, the Human Rights Council, and the International Community to hold Iran to account.

The UK also agrees that gender-based discrimination persists in law, practice and societal attitudes. We welcome limited progress towards gender equality, but the Government of Iran must do more. That includes repealing discriminatory laws, and ending the targeting of women’s rights advocates. We also call on the Government to end the discrimination and persecution of religious minorities, which continues to persist, particularly towards the Baha’i and Christian converts.

Special Rapporteur what more can States do to encourage Iran to ensure all detainees are afforded a transparent judicial process?