EU Expresses Concern Over 'Severe' Human Rights Situation in Iran

On Wednesday, November 30, 2023, the European Union presented a report on the human rights situation in Iran following the adoption of a resolution by the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly against the Islamic Republic. This report, focusing on developments and the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran over the past year, described the status of women's rights, freedom of expression, and the security of journalists, as well as the conditions of human rights defenders and their families, as 'severe.' It strongly condemned the widespread use of the death penalty in Iran. The signatories expressed serious concern over the deteriorating situation of women and girls in Iran, emphasizing that 'the intensification of the repression of dissent, targeted discrimination, the imposition of restrictive laws and policies on women and girls, and the lack of accountability of Islamic Republic officials for human rights violations have created numerous concerns.' The report, which has also received support from the United States and Canada, warned of the 'alarming increase in executions in Iran,' including the execution of European citizens. The European Union reiterated its firm opposition to the death penalty under any circumstances and called on the Islamic Republic to halt all executions, including those of minors, protesters, political opponents, and drug-related offenses, and to move towards abolishing the death penalty. In its human rights report to the 79th session of the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, the EU also emphasized full support for the UN Special Rapporteur and independent international fact-finding missions to investigate human rights violations in the Islamic Republic, stating that Iranian government officials must fully cooperate with all investigative and accountability mechanisms and with the UN and all its special procedures. The Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly ultimately adopted a resolution proposed by 49 countries condemning human rights violations in Iran, which passed with 77 votes in favor, 28 against, and 66 abstentions. Human rights groups reported that October was the deadliest month, recording at least 166 executions. The Third Committee condemned human rights violations in Iran, the continued imprisonment of Mahmoud Mehrabi despite his acquittal on charges of corruption on earth, a statement from hundreds of civil and human rights activists against widespread executions in Iran, and the execution of three prisoners in Rasht and Shiraz by the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic.