Closing Remarks by H.E. Mr. Ali BAHREINI before HRC59 - Item 6: Adoption Session of the Fourth UPR Report of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Geneva 1 July 2025

Closing Remarks

By

 H.E. Mr. Ali BAHREINI

 Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva

 Before

 59th Session of the Human Rights Council

Item 6

Adoption Session of the Fourth UPR Report of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Geneva, 1 July 2025

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

 

Thank you Mr. Vice president,

And thanks to all for their presentation and comments,

Since there have been some questions on the application of the death penalty in Iran, I need to make some clarifications on Iran’s anti-drug policies:

In accordance with international regulations, the Islamic Republic of Iran applies the death penalty for the most serious crimes, including murder, terrorist acts, and major organized and armed drug trafficking. According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, a significant amount of the world's drugs is produced in Iran's neighborhood. Iran has so far paid a heavy price for combating such traffickers, with the martyrdom of nearly 12,000 law enforcement officers being just a part of these costs. On the other hand, due to the distribution of some of these drugs within the country, various social harms have been inflicted on families and young people, such that more than 4,000 people lose their lives annually due to drug abuse. Accordingly, the Islamic Republic of Iran has had no choice but to deal with some specific types of drug-related crimes within the framework of very serious crimes. However, with the amendment of the Anti-Narcotics Law in the past few years, the rate of death sentences in this area has decreased significantly.

Furthermore, the Islamic Republic of Iran Is committed to promotion and protection of Huma rights. Despite all the challenges that we face, we could achieve significand achievements; legal and judicial reforms have continued in our country in all necessary areas.  The review, approval and promulgation of the Executive Regulations of the Prisons Organization, the development and promulgation of the Document on the Transformation and Excellence of the Judiciary in March 2024, the development and promulgation of the Judicial Security Document in October 2020, the approval of the Instructions on How to Protect the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly in the Judicial Process, and the approval of the Instructions on Organizing and Accelerating the Judicial Process are just some of the efforts made to strengthen our domestic legal system.

Iran will continue its efforts for realizing the human rights of the Iranian people as they wish.

To conclude, I thank all delegations and NGOs for their statements. What was said will be duly considered in implementing the recommendations we have accepted. My delegation also thanks:

-- The participation of states and NGOs in the review session of Iran's fourth UPR report;

-- The efforts payed by Vietnam, Morocco and Georgia as Troika members, for their work in this process;

-- The respected members of the Secretariat for their cooperation with my colleagues at the Mission during this period;

-- And finally, the hardworking interpreters who assisted us both during the UPR session in the 48th session and today.

 

Thank you, Mr. President.

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