Switzerland's stance on the protests in Iran

Statement

Switzerland is deeply dismayed by the many deaths in connection with the protests in Iran. It condemns the excessive use of force by the Iranian security forces against the demonstrators. As already stated at multilateral level, Switzerland calls on the Iranian government to exercise restraint and ensure that citizens' right to freedom of expression is respected, including on social media. In addition, Switzerland once again calls on the Iranian government to swiftly honour its promise to launch an impartial and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Mahsa Amini's death. Switzerland continues to work bilaterally and multilaterally for the protection of human rights in Iran, including as regards the freedom of expression and assembly, abolition of torture and the death penalty, women's rights, and the protection of minorities.

Statement

Switzerland vehemently condemns today's execution in Iran in connection with the demonstrations, as well as the public execution carried out yesterday by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Switzerland opposes the death penalty whatever the circumstances and advocates for a world without capital punishment.

Switzerland relies on cooperation with international organisations in its human rights work in Iran. Specifically, Switzerland supports projects of UNICEF and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in the area of juvenile justice in Iran.

The goals of these projects include improving access to minors' – including girls' – access to justice and imposing a moratorium on the use of capital punishment for persons who were minors when the offence was committed.

The Swiss embassy in Tehran also supports NGO projects in the fields of development, humanitarian aid and human security that benefit the people of Iran.

Human rights issues are regularly on the agenda of high-level bilateral meetings between Switzerland and Iran. Switzerland also has an official human rights dialogue with Iran. The next one is planned for early 2023.

Iran has expressed interest in continuing the human rights dialogue. In the current context, Switzerland believes that it is worthwhile to use all the communication channels at its disposal to make its position and commitment to human rights clear to the Iranian authorities.

Iran is currently one of the most sanctioned countries on earth. Switzerland has been imposing all UN sanctions and most EU sanctions for years. Some of these sanctions target individuals. Switzerland recently also adopted the EU sanctions related to the delivery of Iranian drones to Russia.

In Switzerland, the EAER is responsible for sanctions policy. When considering whether Switzerland should adopt new sanctions against Iran, all domestic and foreign policy interests are always taken into account, including Switzerland's good offices in Iran. Switzerland wants to keep existing communication channels open, continue the critical dialogue with the Iranian government, and put forward its demands directly with regard to the human rights situation as well as other issues. It believes that this approach is clearly more beneficial than others when it comes to promoting women's rights, human rights and regional stability.

Switzerland holds a total of five protecting power mandates in connection with Iran, including one that it has held for the US for over 40 years. Through these mandates, Switzerland provides a confidential channel allowing two states that have no diplomatic relations whatsoever to communicate with each other. This can be crucial in preventing an escalation between the countries or in the region. In addition, Switzerland provides consular protection for the sending state's citizens in the receiving state, e.g. for US citizens living in Iran. In doing so, it acts solely on behalf of the state for which it holds the mandate.

The protecting power mandates prove to other countries that they can trust Switzerland. The mandates also grant Switzerland regular access to high-ranking representatives of these countries. Thanks to the existing trust, Swiss diplomats can use this access to other ends, such as raising concerns regarding human rights situations. Due to concerns surrounding confidentiality, Switzerland cannot provide any information on its activities and achievements in connection with its good offices.