Forty seven European and other countries have released a statement at the 20th United Nations' Human Rights Council meeting of the 45th session on Friday September 25 condemning the Islamic Republic of Iran for violating human rights.

The oral statement presented by the German representative expressed deep concern about the violations of freedom of expression, association and assembly by the Islamic Republic of Iran and strongly  condemned the regime in Tehran for the "use of the death penalty, including against juvenile offenders, such as Barzan Nasrollahzadeh."

The statement also condemned "the sudden execution of Navid Afkari, on 12 September" and called it "appalling, given the concerns about his trial, the reports of forced confessions, and his treatment in detention."

Meanwhile, reiterating their opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances, and urging Iran to enact a moratorium, 47 countries criticized Iran reminding Tehran that credible reports of arbitrary detentions, unfair trials, forced confessions and practices of torture and ill-treatment of detainees in the context of the recent protests are particularly concerning.

The participants of the Human Rights Council meeting urged Iran to ensure independent, transparent and credible investigations on the disproportionate use of force against non-violent protesters, and to hold all perpetrators accountable.

They also expressed appreciation for the "unwavering courage of Human Rights Defenders in Iran – including women’s rights defenders, environmental activists and lawyers." And stressed that Human Rights Defenders in Iran continue to suffer intimidation, prosecution and ill-treatment.

The signatories called on Iran "to immediately release all of those who are arbitrarily detained as well as political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, such as Nasrin Sotoudeh and Narges Mohammadi," and urged Tehran to ensure the independence of the judicial system, the rules of fair trial, the right to defense and access to a freely chosen lawyer.  

Iran does not allow UN Human Rights Rapporteurs to visit the country to conduct reviews and make observations.

However, the statement appreciated "Iran’s recent engagement with the Office of the High Commissioner," but also called on Iran to "fully cooperate with relevant Special Procedure mandates, most importantly the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran."

The countries that have criticized  the Islamic Republic include Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.

During the past months, Iran was criticized by international human rights watchdogs and several Western government officials for violation of human rights, executions and exerting pressures on political prisoners.

During this week the United Kingdom, Germany and France summoned Iranian ambassadors in those countries and protested to the violation of human rights in Iran and demanded the release of political prisoners as well as dual nationals held by Iran on fabricated charges.