Statement by
Ms. Fatemeh Arab Bafrani
Second Secretary
Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
Before the Third Committee of the 78th Session of the General Assembly
On Agenda Item 67: “Promotion and Protection of the rights of children”
General Discussion
New York, 5 October 2023
………………………………………………………………………
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Mr. Chair,
Children continue to be denied their rights due to poverty, hunger, inequality, post-pandemic and humanitarian situations, conflicts, climate change, and unilateral coercive measures.
Iran is committed to promoting and safeguarding children's rights and well-being. To protect the children`s rights, the Government has taken a multi-sectoral strategy that focuses on strengthening institutions, allocating adequate resources, and setting short- and long-term goals with monitoring and accountability mechanisms. Governmental organizations, civil society, academia, and other relevant stakeholders are engaged to achieve this goal. Several child-friendly laws have been adopted in these years, including the National Document on the Rights of Child and Adolescent (2021), the Child and Adolescent Protection Act (2020), and the amendment to Nationality law on granting citizenship to Children of Iranian Mothers and Non-Iranian Fathers (2019).
Mr. Chair,
Committed to our international obligations, Iran has prepared its 5th and 6th periodic reports on the implementation of obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child that will be submitted shortly.
Iran attaches special importance to the right to health and right to education.
On the right to health, Iran continues to implement its mass immunization programs to protect children from the first day of birth. National policies and programs to improve health indicators have led to several outstanding achievements. For instance, the maternal mortality rate has decreased from 18 births in 2017 to 15 cases in 2021. The infant mortality rate has decreased from 15 cases in 2017 to 11 cases in 2022. The national school entrance health screening program is actively conducted. Special medical, schooling, and professional support is provided for children with disabilities. Screening and identifying children with autism disorder is carried out by the State Welfare Organization, with financial assistance being provided to low-income families whose children are diagnosed with autism.
Regarding the right to education, our efforts continue to be made to reduce the number of children missing primary school. Distance learning is provided to students through relevant platforms. Children in remote and underprivileged areas receive educational services and support. Free education is also available to Afghan children living in the country.
Iran acknowledges the primary role of parents and families in the lives of children. We have put in place measures that support families. Among others, the family courts are established. relevant progressive laws have been also adopted on the protection of the family and strengthening its bonds, as well as the protection of mothers and children. Financial support is being provided to address financial barriers of families in vulnerable situations to meet their essential needs, including those with children out of school or at risk of dropping out with cash transfers and education services.
Mr. Chair,
In spite of these efforts, the United States and its European allies continue to impose unilateral coercive measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran. As a result of the overcompliance with sanctions and risk elimination policies adopted by some companies and financial institutions, access to health services and life-saving drugs has been significantly affected, which would be comparable to collective reprisals.
Given the unlawful character of these illegal measures, it is the duty of the Member States to refrain from recognizing such measures and to cooperate in order to terminate them immediately.
Thank you for your attention.