Australian Foreign Minister Letter
6 December 2023 Ref: MC23-010822
Mehdi Amini
internationa l@iranian-republ ic.org
Dear Mr Amini
Thank you for your email of 9 November 2023 regarding the detention and health situation of human rights activist and distinguished 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Ms Narges Mohammadi. I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon. Penny Wong.
The Australian Government stands in solidarity with Ms Mohammadi, who has demonstrated immense bravery in the face of a brutal regime. We remain deeply concerned by her ongoing detention and treatment.
Australia has been active and consistent in publicly calling out Iran on its egregious behaviour, and we continue to advocate strongly in support of human rights of the Iranian people. We stand resolutely against the practice of arbitrary detention, arrest and sentencing wherever it may occur, including in Iran. On 7 October 2023, Foreign Minister Wong publicly called for Ms Mohammadi's immediate release and all detained Iranians. We will continue to advocate unrelentingly for the release of all Iranians who have been arbitrarily detained.
Moreover, Australia remains deeply concerned by Iran's systemic persecution of women and girls. We regularly raise Iran's oppression of women with officials in Tehran, Canberra, and in multilateral fora. Australia stands with Iranian women and girls in their struggle for equality and empowerment, and we call on Iran to cease its oppression of women.
The Australian Government continues to call out Iran with partners and in multilateral forums, including most recently at the UN General Assembly where we strongly condemned Iran's human rights abuses. Australia co-sponsored and advocated for the successful Human Rights Council resolution for the establishment of an independent fact-finding mission to investigate human rights violations in Iran.
We will continue to deliberately and strategically put pressure on the Iranian regime to uphold human rights.
I trust this information is of assistance
Yours sincerely
Assistant Secretary Middle East Branch
