HRC52: Oral statement on the situation of human rights in Iran

Item 4:ID with the Special Rapporteur on the Islamic Republic of Iran

Organisation:Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW)

Speaker: Claire Denman

Thank you, Mr President,

CSW thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report and continued work.

Iran consistently fails to abide by its obligation as a signatory to the ICCPR to fulfil the right to freedom of religion or belief for all citizens.

During the recent interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Iran stated this right should be ‘respected and protected for all,’ articulating the need to ensure ‘everyone can practice their religion or belief without fear of persecution or prejudice,’ and to embrace tolerance and diversity.

However, Iran’s constitution fails to adhere to the ICCPR by only recognising Islam, Judaism, Christianity and Zoroastrianism, while disregarding Baha’ism, Yarsanism, Mandaeism, Irreligion, and conversion, particularly to Christianity.

Adherents face discrimination, harassment, arrest, imprisonment, denial of education and employment, torture, and confiscation or demolition of property, among other penalties, with recognised religious and belief minorities also experiencing discrimination.

We urge Iran to model the tolerance and inclusivity it articulated by recognising these communities and fully promoting, protecting and fulfilling the right to FoRB within its borders.

CSW welcomes the recent releases of several unjustly detained Christians as part of a general amnesty, and continues to call for the immediate, unconditional release of all still imprisoned on account of their religion or belief.

We also urge Iran to ensure those released face no further harassment or intimidation.

We condemn the campaign of repression following the death in police custody of Zhina Mahsa Amini, the indiscriminate use of live ammunition against unarmed protesters, and the application of vaguely-defined religious charges and perfunctory trials to pass death sentences on demonstrators.

We particularly abhor the use of torture on detainees, and the persistent and credible reports of sexual and gender-based violence, including rape by security personnel, and particularly the Islamic Guard.

We urge Iran to sign and ratify the Convention Against Torture and its Optional Protocol, to prosecute perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence within its prison system, to end the use of fast-tracked courts, and to release everyone detained arbitrarily in connection with the protests.

We also call on Iran to ratify CEDAW, and restore public confidence by conducting investigations into the chemical attacks on girls’ schools in a transparent manner.

Thank you.