The New Zealand government has suspended formal bilateral human rights dialogue with Iran, saying bilateral approaches are “no longer viable” as Iran denies basic human rights.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaya Mahouta said in a statement that the decision to suspend dialogue sends a strong signal that bilateral approaches to human rights cannot be defended as Iran denies basic human rights and violently cracks down on protests sparked by Mahsa’s death. Amini, 22, violated her morals after being arrested by the police because of clothes that she considered inappropriate.
“Violence against women and girls or any other members of Iranian society, aimed at preventing them from enjoying universal human rights, is unacceptable and must be stopped. This is clearly a difficult time for the people of Iran,” Mahouta said.
New Zealand and Iran began a dialogue in 2018 with the stated goal of advancing human rights issues. The first round of negotiations took place in 2021, and the next one is scheduled for the end of 2022. New Zealand officials confirmed last week that two New Zealanders who had been held in Iran for months have been released and are safe. On Wednesday, the New Zealand government also updated its travel warnings for Iran, urging currently New Zealanders to leave.
