United Nations Third Committee: Australian statement at the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Iran and the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran
Statement delivered by Mr. Harry Aitken, Counsellor and Legal Adviser, Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations
28 October 2026
Thank you Chair.
We thank the Special Rapporteur and the Chair of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for their presentations.
The violent crackdown on protesters in January 2026 marked a significant escalation of human rights violations by Iranian authorities.
Authorities used lethal force, mass arrests and a nationwide internet shutdown to silence, dissent and isolate Iranians from each other and from the outside world.
These actions have compounded pre-existing and wide-ranging human rights challenges.
Protesters continue to face reprisals in Iran, including executions and arbitrary arrests, with female protesters and persons belonging to minority groups being disproportionately targeted.
Australia condemns in the strongest terms Iran’s increasing use of the death penalty as a tool of intimidation and control, and other ongoing and systematic human rights violations.
We are gravely concerned by findings that Iran has violated due process and fair trial protections, and used forced confessions obtained through torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Australia wants to see an end to the conflict in the Middle East. We call on all parties to protect civilians and prioritise dialogue and de-escalation.
We ask: how can the international community best support justice and accountability for victims and survivors of Iran's gross human rights violations?