Iran - Human Rights

We have all been moved by the bravery of the Iranian people and appalled by the brutality of the Iranian regime towards its own citizens.

Australia has been integral to building pressure internationally and was at the forefront of efforts to remove Iran from the Commission for the Status of Women.

Australia co-sponsored and advocated for the successful Human Rights Council resolution for the establishment of an independent fact-finding mission to investigate human rights violations in Iran.

On 20 March, the Foreign Minister announced Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions on 14 Iranian individuals and 14 Iranian entities over their involvement in the Iranian regime’s abhorrent, flagrant, and continued human rights violations.

Australia also imposed sanctions on 13 Iranian individuals and one entity involved in the production and supply of drones to Russia, that have been used in its illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine.

Taken together, the 20 March sanctions package was the single largest package of sanctions to be imposed on Iran by any country since the protests began.

The Albanese Government has now imposed sanctions on 56 individuals and 23 entities since the crisis began, including Iran’s Morality Police, the IRGC’s research, manufacturing and funding arms, and senior Iranian law enforcement and military officials.

The Australian Government has consistently and forcefully raised our concerns directly with Iran. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has written to Iran’s Foreign Minister and the Attorney-General has written to his counterpart, including to reaffirm in the strongest terms Australia’s opposition to the death penalty. We have summoned Iran’s representative in Canberra on numerous occasions. Our Ambassador has made representations in Tehran, including directly to the Deputy Foreign Minister.

We have called out Iran internationally, jointly with partners and in multilateral forums, most recently at the Human Rights Council in Geneva [1 March] where Australia condemned Iran’s brutal repression of protesters and its ongoing, systematic discrimination against women and girls.

The Albanese Government has taken stronger action against Iran on human rights than any previous Australian government. We will continue to deliberately and strategically put pressure on the Iranian regime to uphold human rights.

ACTIONS TAKEN ON IRAN [IN REVERSE CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER]

Date	Action
20 March	The Foreign Minister announced the imposition of human rights thematic sanctions on 14 Iranian individuals and 14 entities, and UAV sanctions on 13 Iranian individuals and one entity.
17 March	Minister Clare O’Neil met with representatives of the Iranian-Australian community and advocacy groups to discuss foreign interference and community concerns.
1 March	Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts delivered Australia’s national statement at HRC 52 condemning Iran’s heavy-handed repression of protests and expressing grave concerns at ongoing, systematic discrimination against women and girls in Iran.
16 February	The Foreign Minister responded to questions relating to Iran from Senator Claire Chandler in Senate Estimates.
15 February	The Foreign Minister, alongside the Attorney-General Dreyfus, members of the ALP caucus and DFAT, met with representatives of the Iranian-Australian community and Amnesty International.
15 February	Attorney-General Dreyfus, Minister Giles and Minister O’Neil met with representatives of the Iranian-Australian community and advocacy groups to discuss foreign interference and community concerns.
14 February	Minister O’Neil delivered a statement to the National Security College regarding foreign interference. Iran was raised as an example of foreign interference.
3 February	In the Joint Statement on Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) 2022, Australia and the UK called on Iran to cease the execution of protestors and the continued suppression of protests.
1 February	The Foreign Minister announced the imposition of human rights thematic sanctions on 16 Iranian individuals and one entity, and UAV sanctions on four Iranian individuals and four entities.
30 January	In the Joint Statement on Second Australia-France Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations, Australia and France condemned in the strongest terms the death sentences and executions of protesters.
19 January	The Attorney-General wrote a letter to the Iranian Prosecutor General reaffirming Australia’s opposition to the death penalty, calling on Iran to comply with its obligations under the ICCPR, and reiterating support for Iranian women and girls in their struggle for equality and empowerment.
18 January	The Foreign Minister wrote a letter to Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs reaffirming Australia’s opposition to the death penalty, calling on Iran to comply with its obligations under the ICCPR, and reiterating support for Iranian women and girls in their struggle for equality and empowerment.
13 January	Attorney-General Dreyfus tweeted, condemning Iran’s ongoing executions and reaffirming Australia’s opposition to the death penalty.
11 January	Australia’s Ambassador to Iran met with Iran’s Vice Minister for Political Affairs and raised Australia’s deep concern with Iran’s response to the recent protests, including the execution of prisoners.
10 January	FAS MAD summoned the Iranian Chargé d'Affaires to discuss the recent execution of protestors Iran, consular issues and visas.
8 January	The Foreign Minister tweeted, condemning Iran’s execution of two additional protesters on 7 January 2023.
19 December	FAS MPD met with the Iranian Chargé d'Affaires and reiterated Australia’s strong opposition to the death penalty.
16 December	The Foreign Minister released a joint statement with Canadian Foreign Minister Joly and New Zealand Foreign Minister Mahuta, calling on Iran to immediately establish a moratorium to halt executions of protesters and end the use of the death penalty.
14 December	Australia delivered a national statement to the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) meeting ahead of the vote on a resolution to remove Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
	Australia co-sponsored the resolution to remove Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women, which passed 29Y-8N-16A.
	FAS MAD summoned the Iranian Chargé d'Affaires to discuss the second execution of a protester in Iran and protests outside of the Iranian Embassy in Canberra.
12 December	FAS MAD summoned the Iranian Chargé d'Affaires to discuss the recent execution of a protester in Iran, Baha’is and sanctions.
10 December	The Foreign Minister announced the imposition of human rights thematic sanctions on six Iranian individuals and two entities, and UAV sanctions on three Iranian individuals and one entity.
6 December	In the Joint Statement on Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) 2022, Australia and the US strongly condemned the ruthless suppression of peaceful protests by Iranian authorities.
2 December	The Foreign Minister released a joint statement with New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta condemning the ruthless suppression of peaceful protests by Iranian authorities, welcoming the establishment of an HRC independent fact-finding mission, and restating concern about Iran’s position on the CSW.
25 November	The Foreign Minister tweeted to welcome the HRC decision to support a fact-finding mission to investigate human rights violations stemming from the protests.
16-24 November	Australia provided early co-sponsorship and active international advocacy in support of a Human Rights Council resolution for a fact-finding mission, which will be considered by the HRC tonight.
22 November	The Foreign Minister answered a question in the Senate about the Australian Government’s actions in response to the Iranian regime’s latest actions.
22 November	DFAT raised concerns about further violent crackdowns on protests and concerning reports of harassment of Iranian protestors in Australia with the Iranian Embassy in Canberra.
17 November	Australia delivered a statement Australia delivered a statement to the UNGA 3^rd Committee Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran
14 November	Australia supported calls for a special session of the Human Rights Council to address the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran.
10 November	The Foreign Minister asked that a colleague share a personal message from me with attendees of a community protest outside Parliament House.
3 November	The Foreign Minister tweeted the link to the CANZ statement at the UNSC, highlighting the expression of grave concerns about Iran’s membership of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
2 November	Australia joined Canada and New Zealand in expressing grave concerns about this situation to the United National Security Council.
26 October	Australia delivered a statement to the UNGA 3^rd Committee Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran.
26 October	The Prime Minister released a video message condemning the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, and reiterating Australia stands with the women and people of Iran.
21 October	The Foreign Minister tweeted a video statement and reiterated my call on Iran to cease its oppression of women and suppression of protests.
20 October	The Foreign Minister provided a video statement which was played to a Women Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, convened by Canadian FM Melanie Joly, about the situation Iran. I called on Iran to cease its oppression of women and suppression of protests.
18 October	Australia supported the Freedom Online Coalition’s Joint Statement on Internet Shutdowns in Iran.
13 October	DFAT raised concerns about the violent crackdown on protests with the Iranian Embassy in Canberra.
13 October	Australia delivered a statement to the UNGA 3^rd Committee Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, calling for an investigation into Mahsa (Jina) Amini’s death.
10 October	The Foreign Minister tweeted, condemning the heavy-handed repression of protests and reports of violence against children.
30 September	Australia signed on to a joint statement at the 51st Session of the UN Human Rights Council, denouncing the excessive use of force by the Iranian authorities.
29 September	The Foreign Minister tweeted, calling for a prompt, impartial and independent investigation into the death of Mahsa Amini.
27 September	The Foreign Minister) issued a joint statement with Minister Katy Gallagher, condemning the violent crackdown of protestors.
26 September	DFAT raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini and the violent crackdown on protests with the Iranian Embassy in Canberra.