Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Mr President,
New Zealand welcomes the report provided by the Special Rapporteur and endorses its recommendations.
New Zealand’s inaugural bilateral Human Rights Dialogue with Iran took place in May 2021. We welcome this constructive and respectful dialogue and look forward to it continuing.
New Zealand is disappointed that the Special Rapporteur continues to be denied access to enter Iran. We consider such access is necessary for the Special Rapporteur to properly fulfil his mandate.
New Zealand is committed to the abolition of the death penalty worldwide as a matter of urgency. We remain deeply concerned that Iran applies the death penalty for a wide range of offences, including those committed by juveniles. We strongly support the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations that Iran impose an immediate moratorium on executions, commute all death sentences, and urgently amend legislation to prohibit the execution of persons who committed a crime while aged under 18.
New Zealand is concerned about the damaging consequences that Iran’s law on young people and protection of the family has on women’s and girls’ rights to sexual and reproductive health. We strongly support the Special Rapporteur’s recommendation to repeal this law and others that violate the rights of women and girls.
New Zealand also deplores the ongoing repression of religious and ethnic minorities in Iran, including of adherents to the Bahá’í faith.
Thank you Mr President.