Recap: 55th Session of the Human Rights Council

From February 26 to April 5 2024, the United Nations Human Rights Council held its 55th regular session at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The session was particularly significant as the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran (“FFMI”) issued and presented its first report, concluding its first year of investigation. The Mission established “that many of the serious human rights violations” it has investigated in relation to the  protests that erupted following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, who was killed while in police custody on 16 September 2022 “amount to crimes against humanity”.[1] The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Javaid Rehman, also presented his report to the HRC, detailing his assessment of the status of implementation of recommendations he has made during his 6-year tenure.  Demonstrating increasing support for accountability in Iran, an absolute majority of HRC member states – half of them from Africa, Latin America and Asia – voted to renew the two mandates for an additional year. The session was also marked by a joint statement of 50+ UN Member States from various regions, acknowledging the FFMI’s findings and urging Iranian authorities to take steps to eliminate all forms “of gender-based discrimination, end the cycle of violence, cease the suppression of protests and open civic space to allow for dissenting voices, and allow journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders to carry out their work freely.” Civil society also featured prominently in the session, as several Iranian human rights organizations, including Impact Iran coalition members, held public events featuring UN human rights experts, human rights defenders as well as Iranian victims of human rights violations.

[1] FFMI report para 108

Opening of the Session: High Level Segment

February 26

Oral Update from High Commissioner Volker Türk

March 4

SR on Iran Javaid Rehman publishes his final report to the HRC

March 5

FFM on Iran publishes groundbreaking report to the HRC

March 8

SIDE EVENT

DEATH PENALTY IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN

March 14

CIVIL SOCIETY JOINT LETTER

Extend the mandates of the Fact-Finding Mission and the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran

March 18

Report Presentation and Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on Iran Javaid Rehman

March 18

Report Presentation and Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran

March 18
SIDE EVENT

Persecution on the ground of gender, ethnicity and religion in Iran: THE NEED FOR JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

March 18
SIDE EVENT

DOCUMENTING THE USE OF BLINDINGS TO CRUSH DISSENT IN IRAN

March 19

Vote on resolution / renewal of mandates of the Special Rapporteur and Fact-Finding Mission on Iran

April 4
JOINT LETTER

End of Session Statement

April 5