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 77th Session of the General Assembly

On Agenda Item 68: (a-d) Promotion and Protection of Human Rights

“Interactive Dialogue with the Chair of the Independent International Commission

of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, Ms. Navi Ms. PILLAY”

New York, 27 October 2022

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Mr. Chair,

I thank the chair of CoI for the briefing.

The Islamic Republic of Iran expresses support for the work of the Commission of Inquiry.

In the months following the inception of the CoI, the brutal Israeli Regime has resorted to a new law in order to hinder the Commission's work and its cooperation with civil society. Several Palestinian NGOs are now dubbed "Terrorists" by the Occupying Regime because they were instrumental in raising awareness and informing the world about the systematic Apartheid that Palestinians face every day.

Another shameless attempt to stifle global awareness by the Israeli Regime was the murder of Shirin Abu'Akleh, a fearless woman and valiant journalist who was a victim of the cowardly Regime in its quest to perpetuate impunity.

My question to Madam Pillay is:

In your opinion, how critical is the role of civil society in resolving the question of Palestine?

I thank you