Zarif and Mogherini Emphasize 'Entering Human Rights Dialogues'

Iran and the European Union issued a joint statement during Federica Mogherini's visit to Tehran, emphasizing the need for 'annual' and 'regular' political dialogue as well as economic cooperation, and 'stressed the importance of entering human rights dialogues.' According to the state news agency IRNA, the Iranian Foreign Minister and the EU's foreign policy chief issued a joint statement at the end of their bilateral meeting on Saturday, April 28, highlighting the commitment to engage in human rights discussions. The statement also noted that both sides emphasized 'annual political dialogue at the ministerial level and regular high-level discussions.' Furthermore, they agreed to combat drug trafficking while focusing on the exchange of specialized experiences regarding supply and demand, transit, addressing root causes such as poverty reduction and the development of Afghanistan, and adopting a balanced approach to the fight against it (while respecting human rights). However, the statement did not provide details on the discussions regarding human rights issues. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's Foreign Minister, had previously indicated that a new round of 'high-level dialogues' between Iran and the EU would commence, referring to 'critical dialogues' that began during Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's presidency but were halted due to the assassination of Kurdish political activists in the Mykonos restaurant and the subsequent court ruling against senior Iranian officials. Several European officials who visited Iran after the Vienna nuclear agreement, including Johann Schneider-Ammann, the President of Switzerland, have stated that they discussed human rights issues with Iranian officials. International human rights organizations have expressed concern over the high number of executions in Iran, the violation of minority rights, the imprisonment of journalists, and other human rights abuses. According to Ahmed Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, at least 966 people were executed in Iran in 2015, marking an unprecedented number in the past two decades. Iranian officials claim that '90 percent' of executions in Iran are related to drug offenses, and some parliament members have reported plans to abolish the death penalty for unarmed traffickers. Meanwhile, Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on Iran to refrain from executing these convicts until the parliament decides on laws regarding drug trafficking penalties. In the joint statement, the EU's foreign policy chief and the Iranian Foreign Minister agreed to 'facilitate cooperation and prepare' for the future opening of an EU representation in Iran based on its laws and regulations, with plans for an EU liaison team to be sent to Tehran. The statement also emphasized 'joint research in nuclear fusion and fission,' 'EU assistance for Iran's accession to the World Trade Organization,' 'efforts to lift restrictions on Iran Air flights,' 'issuing flight permits for Iranian companies,' 'developing tourism,' and 'preserving and returning historical artifacts.' Federica Mogherini arrived in Tehran on Saturday, April 28, with a political and economic delegation. The EU has stated that during Mogherini's visit and her meetings with Iranian officials, issues such as trade, humanitarian aid, civilian nuclear cooperation, and human rights will be discussed. A senior EU official also mentioned that the EU supports Iran's efforts to join the World Trade Organization, but Iran must implement laws related to combating money laundering and preventing terrorists from using the financial system.