I thank the Special Rapporteur for his efforts to shine a spotlight on the dire situation of human rights in Iran.

Australia stands with Iranian women and girls in their struggle for equality and empowerment. We support calls by the Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for a prompt, impartial investigation into the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. Those responsible must be held to account.

We are alarmed by reports that hundreds of people have been killed and many more injured, including children, as a result of the heavy-handed measures Iran has implemented in its crackdown on ongoing protests. Any form of violence is unacceptable, especially against children.

Australia continues to be concerned by Iran’s discrimination and intimidation of LGBTI persons. We support calls by the Special Rapporteur and other UN experts on 28 September for a stay of execution for LGBTI activists Zahra Sedighi-Hamadani and Elham Choubdar. Iran’s continued use of the death penalty is deeply troubling and we urge Iran to impose a moratorium on not just these executions, but all uses of the death penalty.

Australia is also troubled by reports of increased persecution against ethnic and religious minorities in Iran, particularly Kurds and Baha’is, and we urge Iran to cease its repression and protect the rights of all individuals.

We ask the Special Rapporteur: what more can the international community do to support Iranian women and children who are experiencing ongoing, systemic oppression?