A/HRC/40/24 B. Cooperation with the universal periodic review 65. The Secretary-General welcomes the publication by the Government of its midterm report under the universal periodic review, covering the period from April 2015 to December 2016.152 The Secretary-General also encourages all relevant Iranian institutions and stakeholders to engage with OHCHR in the third universal periodic review cycle, scheduled for November 2019. C. Cooperation with special procedures 66. The first report of the new Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Javaid Rehman, was presented to the General Assembly in October 2018.153 The Secretary-General notes that the Human Rights Council renewed the mandate of the Special Rapporteur in March 2018 (in its resolution 37/30), and welcomes comments by the Government indicating that it intends to engage with the Special Rapporteur in a constructive dialogue. The Secretary-General further encourages the Government to invite the Special Rapporteur to visit the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2018, the special procedures of the Human Rights Council issued 14 communications regarding the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, three of which were replied to by the Government, and 17 public statements. D. Cooperation with OHCHR 67. The Secretary-General welcomes the enhanced engagement and dialogue on human rights by Iranian officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva and members of the High Council for Human Rights. The Executive Office of the Secretary-General and OHCHR have raised the situation of child offenders at imminent risk of execution with the Government on a number of occasions and seek to further engage with the Iranian authorities on child justice. IV. Conclusions and recommendations 68. The overall situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran has been marked by the impact of the economic and financial challenges on the enjoyment of a range of rights by Iranians. As a result, many Iranians have faced difficulties in accessing work, food, water, health care and other basic necessities, despite mitigating measures taken by the authorities to address these difficulties. The combined effect of long-standing economic grievances and the exacerbating impact of reinstated unilateral sanctions since August 2018 has led to sporadic protests across the country. The authorities’ response has included both attempts at reform, and repression primarily targeting human rights defenders and human rights lawyers, labour rights activists, social media users and environmentalists. The application of the death penalty, including to child offenders, has continued at a high rate, although the number of executions has generally reduced since the implementation of the amendment to the drug trafficking law. Cases of torture, arbitrary detention, and trials that failed to adhere to international standards have continued to be reported, as has persistent discrimination against women and members of ethnic and religious minorities. 69. On the basis of the observations and conclusions made in the present report, the Secretary-General provides the recommendations below: 70. The Secretary-General urges the Government to abolish the mandatory death penalty and to introduce a moratorium on its use; to prohibit the execution of child offenders in all circumstances and to commute their sentences. 152 153 See https://lib.ohchr.org/HRBodies/UPR/Documents/Session20/IR/Iran2ndCycle.pdf. A/73/398. 17