HRC61 - EU Statement - Joint Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the Independent and International Fact Finding Mission in Iran
United Nations Human Rights Council
61st Session
Joint Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights and the Independent and International Fact Finding Mission in Iran
16 March 2026
EU Statement
Mr (Ms Vice) President,
The European Union thanks the Special Rapporteur and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran for their reports and presentations today.
Once again, we meet in a time of profound crisis for the Iranian people. We are following the developments in Iran and the Middle East with utmost concern. The ongoing hostilities threaten regional and global security and have a far-reaching impact, including on economic stability and humanitarian conditions in the region. We call on all parties for the protection of all civilians and full respect of international law, including international humanitarian law and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Mr (Ms Vice) President,
All this follows an already deteriorating human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In January, peaceful protesters demanded dignity, freedom, and a better life. The security forces responded with brutal repression, excessive force and lethal violence. As a result, thousands of people died, were injured and many were arrested. Accountability for this unacceptable tragedy is essential.
We call on Iran to immediately release all those arbitrarily detained for exercising their human rights, including the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Reports of expedited trials for peaceful protesters, who may face severe penalties including the death penalty, are deeply troubling and must be halted.
The EU strongly condemns any use of the death penalty and other harsh punishments as a means to supress internal dissent. We urge the Iranian authorities to stop all executions and pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of capital punishment. The EU is gravely concerned about harassment and reprisals, notably targeting dissidents, lawyers, media workers, persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities and human rights defenders, not least through transnational repression, including on EU soil. Human rights, notably the rights to freedom of religion or belief and peaceful assembly must be guaranteed for all, not least for women and girls and persons belonging to religious and ethnic minorities.
We urge the full and permanent restoration of unrestricted internet access. Large-scale internet disruptions are incompatible with human rights and international obligations to protect them.
The European Union strongly rejects Iran’s distressing practice of arbitrary detention of EU nationals for political gains; we urge authorities to end this practice and to release all of them. In light of the gravity of the repression, the EU and its Member States are exploring various tools to respond to this situation and support the Iranian people. Since 2011, the EU has taken targeted restrictive measures against individuals and entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran. The EU recently included the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran to the EU terrorist list. We will continue to take further measures to target those responsible for the ongoing human rights violations and repression.
We also will further intensify our support, to civil society and human rights defenders who are playing a crucial role supporting the Iranian people in a very challenging context.
Thank you.