Statement by: David Hamer, Adviser, Australian Mission to the UN 
As delivered

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Australia is pleased to once again cosponsor the resolution 'Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran', and vote in favour for it.

Australia thanks Canada, as penholder, for its leadership of this resolution.

This resolution aims to reflect the current human rights situation in Iran without prejudice. As a member of the Core Group, we again saw first-hand the fundamental importance Canada placed on ensuring the resolution is evidence-based.

We note the resolution continues to draw heavily from reports of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran and the UN Secretary-General.

Australia remains gravely concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran, especially Iran's persecution of women and girls, oppression of ethnic and religious minorities, and treatment of the LGBTI community.

Australia continues to stand with the courageous Iranian women and girls in their struggle for equality and empowerment, and we call on Iran to cease its oppression of women and girls.

We also condemn the disproportionate use of force against protesters in Iran following the death in custody of Mahsa Jina Amini. Australia stands in solidarity with the brave people of Iran and we support their right to protest peacefully.

We support the resolution's call, echoing calls from the Chairperson of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran, that all domestic investigations must not fall short of relevant international human rights law and standards, including the requirements of promptness, independence, and transparency.

Australia is deeply disturbed by Iran's use of the death penalty, and especially against protestors. We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances, for all people, and we call on Iran to establish a moratorium on all executions. We have again heard suggestions that country-specific resolutions in the Third Committee impede sovereignty.

UN Member States are indeed sovereign. But sovereignty is not a shield against international scrutiny for behaviour that impinges on universal human rights. No country is above fair scrutiny of its human rights obligations.

The international community cannot turn a blind eye to these violations, and suggest that deaths, violence, arbitrary detention, discrimination, and oppression are internal matters. To do so would be to ignore the human rights of the individuals that we, the United Nations, have committed to promote and protect.

We call on all Member States to support this important resolution.

Thank you.