Thank you, Chair!

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The EU would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her presentation and her latest report. We continue to urge the Iranian authorities to grant her as well as the Fact-Finding Mission immediate and unfettered access to visit the country.

Ms. Special Rapporteur,

The EU remains seriously concerned about the continued discrimination, in law and in practice, and repression of women and girls and ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities.

Firstly, we note the finding of the report related to the discrimination and violations of the right to freedom of expression, assembly, religion, and belief. The curtailing of freedom of opinion, association and peaceful assembly is appalling.

Ms. Special Rapporteur, what steps need to be taken to address this violation of international human rights law and ensure women and girls and ethnic and religious minorities are not criminalised for exercising their human rights?

Secondly, the EU strongly opposes the death penalty at all times and in all circumstances, and aims at its universal abolition. The EU strongly condemns all executions among others, of juvenile offenders, dissidents and protesters.

Ms. Special Rapporteur, in the context of the alarming increase of the use of the death penalty, what can be done to prompt the government of Iran to halt executions and commute sentences?

Thank you.