The United Kingdom urged Iran to implement an immediate moratorium on executions in a statement to the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee. The government characterised Iran’s use of the death penalty as a political instrument deployed to instil fear and suppress dissent, and acknowledged Canada’s leadership on the draft resolution under discussion, according to the official UK statement.
The intervention highlighted that ethnic minorities continue to be disproportionately affected by capital punishment in Iran. Citing the past year’s developments, the UK referenced the execution of a twelfth protester linked to the Woman, Life, Freedom movement and said many more protesters and human rights defenders remain on death row. The call for a halt to executions was framed as an immediate step Tehran should take.
The UK raised specific concerns about the situation of women and girls. It said the authorities have bolstered surveillance capabilities to monitor and target women and girls, including human rights defenders, both online and in daily life. The statement added that Iran has yet to effectively criminalise sexual and gender‑based violence and ensure equal access to justice for women and girls.
Freedom of Religion or Belief was a further focus. The UK said state‑linked media intensified scapegoating and incitement towards religious minorities, particularly Baha’is and Christians, during and since what it described as a 12‑day war. It affirmed that these communities have the right to practise their faiths freely and without state interference.
The statement also pointed to Iran’s efforts to target civil society beyond its borders, seeking to silence journalists, activists and others documenting serious human rights violations. The UK said it is committed to working with international partners to counter such malign activity and to support those at risk.
The Third Committee is the General Assembly forum that examines human rights and social issues. While resolutions passed there are not legally binding, they carry political weight and typically proceed to a plenary vote, shaping the Assembly’s position and informing member states’ engagement on country situations. The UK’s intervention places its human rights policy within this multilateral process and signals backing for the Canada‑led text.
Analysis: The government’s language is consistent with UK human rights diplomacy and leaves open the prospect of continued coordination with partners if violations persist or escalate. Although no specific next steps were outlined, the emphasis on an executions moratorium, protection of religious minorities and accountability for gender‑based harms underscores the tools and coalitions London is prepared to use in multilateral settings.
For practitioners, the statement indicates sustained scrutiny of Iran across UN fora and among likeminded partners. Organisations supporting at‑risk groups, diaspora communities and journalists should anticipate continued attention to cross‑border intimidation, while legal and compliance teams tracking human rights risk should watch for any follow‑on measures or guidance that could shape due diligence, advocacy priorities and protective arrangements.