The Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, took the floor today during the Interactive dialogue following the first oral update presented by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran, in the framework of the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council.
Ambassador Grassi reaffirmed Italy’s strong condemnation of the practice of imposing and carrying out death sentences against protesters, and its firm opposition against the application of capital punishment in any circumstance. In this regard, Italy called on Iran to refrain from any future executions and to pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of death penalty.
Italy reiterated its concern about the deteriorated human rights situation in Iran, especially with respect to women and children, by deploring the continued restrictions to civic and democratic space, the widespread resort to arbitrary detentions, the disproportionate use of force by security forces, and the use of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatments.
Ambassador Grassi then called on Iran to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as well as accountability and justice for all victims.
“We urge Iran to end all forms of systemic discrimination against women and girls, and to prevent and ensure their protection against sexual and gender-based violence in all its forms”, Ambassador Grassi concluded, also urging the elimination of discrimination in law and in practice against persons belonging to ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.
Read the full statement here.
