The Permanent Representative of Italy at the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, delivered a statement today during the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur and the Fact-Finding Mission on the situation of human rights in Iran at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council.
“We remain deeply concerned about the severe and ongoing human rights violations and repression of civil liberties in Iran, including unnecessary and disproportionate use of force against civilians, arbitrary arrests, torture, and repression of all forms of dissent”, stated the Permanent Representative. “Italy expresses grave concern about the persistent discrimination, in law and in practice, against women and girls in public and private life, especially sexual and gender-based violence during arrests and in detention. We exhort Iran to uphold women and girls’ rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly”.
The Permanent Representative further noted that “ethnic and religious minorities are still confronted by structural and unacceptable discrimination and persecution. We call upon Iran to take the necessary measures to guarantee religious freedom and to ensure that all individuals are treated equally and exercise their faith in peace and security”.
He reiterated Italy’s strong opposition to the use of death penalty in every moment and circumstance, urging Iran to introduce a moratorium on executions, especially for crimes committed by minors, as a step towards their full abolition. He concluded that “Italy remains steadfast in its support to the victims of human rights violations and reaffirms the universal importance of respecting freedom and dignity of every person”.
