A/HRC/43/61 I. Introduction 1. The present report, submitted pursuant to General Assembly resolution 74/167, is divided into two parts. The first part describes pressing human rights concerns in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The second part examines human rights concerns related to conditions of detention in the country. 2. In 2019, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran met with victims of alleged violations, their families, human rights defenders, lawyers and representatives of civil society organizations, including in the Netherlands and Austria (2–8 June 2019) and in the United States of America (4–8 November 2019). The Special Rapporteur travelled to New York to present his most recent report 1 to the General Assembly and, during that mission, met with representatives of Member States and civil society. In preparing the present report, he reviewed written submissions, government reports, legislation, media reports and reports of international human rights mechanisms. During his visit to Geneva in March 2019, he met with representatives of the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations and had a constructive meeting with a delegation of senior Iranian officials, including from the judiciary, in Geneva in early 2019. The Special Rapporteur thanks all interlocutors and officials for their cooperation and the information provided. 3. The Special Rapporteur is shocked at the number of deaths, serious injuries and reports of ill-treatment of persons detained during the November 2019 protests. According to reports, detainees are being tortured or are suffering other forms of ill-treatment, sometimes to extract forced confessions. There are also reports of denials of medical treatment, including for injuries caused by the excessive use of force by the security forces, with some other detainees being held incommunicado or being subjected to enforced disappearance. He is concerned about reports that families of individuals killed by the security forces have been threatened not to speak out. He remains highly concerned about the continuing restrictions on freedom of expression. Although access to the Internet has been restored since it was shut down at the peak of the protests, the policy of intimidation and harassment of journalists and their families has continued. In its comments, the Government rejects these allegations and states that during the incidents law enforcement agencies displayed restraint while exercising their duty to maintain security. 4. The Special Rapporteur remains concerned about the use of the death penalty in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including for child offenders. These concerns are compounded by the fact that he has consistently received reports indicating serious violations of fair trial standards, including through the use of forced confessions as the basis for convictions. He is disturbed by ongoing challenges faced by human rights defenders and others who have been arrested for their peaceful activities calling for the full realization of their rights. The continued efforts by the Government to stifle the rights to freedom of opinion, expression and association only serve to decrease security and stability in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Special Rapporteur continues to receive reports of discrimination against minorities and women, and is concerned about the lack of legal protections for vulnerable groups, including children. II. Overview of the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran A. November 2019 protests 5. The situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran continues to be of grave concern, with continued economic hardship having a significant impact on economic 1 2 A/74/188.