Ávarp í umræðu um Íran

Harald Aspelund, fastafulltrúi Íslands, flutti í dag ávarp í umræðum um mannréttindaástand í Íran með þátttöku Javaid Rehman, sérstökum skýrslugjafa mannréttindaráðsins í málefnum Írans. Í ávarpinu er lýst áhyggjum af fjölda dauðarefsinga í landinu og fjölda dauðadóma sem felldir eru yfir börnum. Þá er skortur á trúfrelsi gagnrýndur og ofsóknir gegn fólki af Bahaí-trúnni. Loks er lýst áhyggjum af því hversu jafnrétti er skammt á vegum komið og réttindi kvenna bágborin.

Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Islamic Republic of Iran

11 March 2019

Statement by Iceland

Mr. President,

Iceland thanks the Special Rapporteur for his latest report.

My delegation welcomes the reduction in executions noted in the report, from 437 in 2017 to 207 in 2018. However, this number remains far too high, in our view, and the death penalty is often used in cases where the crime can under no circumstances be judged to warrant such consequence.

We find particularly objectionable that children continue to receive death sentences, girls as young as 9 and boys as young as 15, with 61 young offenders having been executed since 2008. However, Iceland is opposed to the use of the death penalty altogether and we call on Iran to implement a moratorium on all executions, with a view to abolishing the death penalty.

Mr. President,

We regret that increasing number of human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and labour activists are being arrested or harassed in Iran.

My delegation also remains concerned over the ongoing systematic discrimination and harassment of religious and ethnic minorities in Iran – including adherents to the Baha’i faith who according to the Secretary General´s report to this Council continue to be prohibited from working in the public sector and many private enterprises.

Women´s rights and gender equality are a priority for Iceland and we are therefore troubled that authorities would arrest women protesting against the compulsory use of the hijab. The rights of women human rights defenders must be protected and respected. While we welcome the introduction to parliament of a bill on protection of women against violence we remain concerned that civil law continues to deny women equal rights, including in marriage, divorce, child custody and inheritance.

I thank you.