Courtney Nemroff
Deputy U.S. Representative to the Economic and Social Council
U.S. Mission to the United Nations
New York, New York
October 26, 2020
AS DELIVERED
Thank you, Special Rapporteur Rehman. The United States is concerned that the Government of Iran continues to deny you access. We call on Iran to immediately allow a country visit. This carries increased importance this year – there have been no independent or transparent investigations into the regime’s killings of up to 1,500 protesters in November 2019.
We remain concerned about death sentences imposed following unfair trials and forced confessions reportedly obtained through torture. The most vicious recent example is the execution of wrestler Navid Afkari on September 12.
This is part of a pattern of impunity extends back 41 years. An independent and transparent investigation is needed into the 1988 “Death Commissions”. We call on the international community to carry out an independent investigation, including the alleged involvement of the current head of the judiciary and Minister of Justice.
We strongly condemn the continued targeting and harsh sentencing of those detained for peaceful activism, such as Nasrin Sotoudeh and Narges Mohammadi who endure deplorable prison conditions, including exposure to COVID-19. Foreign nationals are also unjustly detained. We call on Iran to release these prisoners immediately.
The United States shares your concerns regarding the continued repression of members of religious minority groups such as Gonabadi Sufis, Baha’is, and Christian converts who all face severe treatment because of their beliefs, including harsh jail sentences. Iran must observe Article 14 of its Constitution and respect the human rights of non-Muslims.
Question: What is your assessment of the government’s accountability measures for the treatment of thousands of Iranians imprisoned during the November 2019 protests?
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