Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Madame President,
New Zealand welcomes the report provided by the Special Rapporteur and endorses its recommendations.
New Zealand is pleased that Iran has agreed to an inaugural bilateral Human Rights Dialogue taking place this year. We look forward to participating in a constructive and respectful dialogue.
New Zealand welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s findings that there have been some steps taken towards gender equality. We urge Iran to take further action to protect and uphold the rights of women, girls and the LGBTI community.
New Zealand is committed to the abolition of the death penalty as a matter of urgency worldwide. We remain deeply concerned that Iran continues to apply the death penalty for a wide range of offences, including those committed by juveniles. We are also deeply troubled by reports that prisoners have been executed based on forced confessions. We strongly support the Special Rapporteur’s recommendation that Iran introduce an immediate moratorium on the death penalty and prohibit the execution of child offenders in all circumstances.
New Zealand remains concerned by reports of harassment and detention of human rights defenders and lawyers for the exercise or defence of human rights. We reiterate our urge for Iran to protect freedom of opinion and expression, and to end the intimidation, harassment, and arbitrary arrest of human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists.
Finally, New Zealand deplores the persecution of religious and ethnic minorities in Iran, including adherents to the Bahá’í faith.
Thank you Madame President.