Human Rights Council – 48th Session of the Universal Periodic Review, Islamic Republic of Iran

Mr President,

We welcome the delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

We acknowledge Iran’s role as host to the world’s largest refugee population and the access it provides to key services for the most vulnerable, particularly in healthcare and education.

New Zealand recommends that Iran:

1. Establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty. 
2. Amend Article 91 of the Islamic Penal Code to prohibit the use of the death penalty for crimes committed by persons below 18 years of age, in all circumstances.
3. Ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 
4. Review and repeal legislation and policies that discriminate on the grounds of religion or belief, sexual orientation and gender identity. 
5. Ensure that all allegations of those arrested or detained during the protests of September 2022 involving torture or other ill treatment are transparently and impartially investigated, with those responsible held to account.

We thank the delegation for their participation today and consideration of these recommendations.

Thank you Mr President.