Targeted sanctions in response to Iranian and Russian human rights violations

The Australian government imposed targeted sanctions on 13 individuals and two entities involved in egregious human rights violations and abuses.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced in a statement on Saturday, among them are Iran's Morality Police, the Basij Resistance Force and six Iranian individuals, involved in the violent crackdown on protests following the death of Mahsa 'Jina' Amini and the continued oppression of the people of Iran.

“We employ every strategy at our disposal towards upholding human rights – ranging from dialogue and diplomacy to sanctions – consistent with our values and our interests. The Albanese Government’s approach is to deal with the world as it is, and seek to shape it for the better” she said.

Seven Russian individuals involved in the attempted assassination of former opposition leader Alexei Navalny will also have human rights sanctions imposed on them.

Wong said these sanctions target grievous human rights situations where the perpetrators continue to act with impunity.

In addition to human rights sanctions, Wong said, Australia is joining partners to announce further targeted financial sanctions on three Iranian individuals and one business involved in the supply of drones to Russia for use against Ukraine.

She said the supplies of drones to Russia are evidence of the role Iran plays in destabilising global security. This listing highlights that those who provide material support to Russia will face consequences.

Despite the sanctions, within 24 hours Iran executes the first protester Mohsen Shekarei.

Shekari was hanged on Thursday morning after being found guilty by an Iranian Revolutionary Court of "moharebeh" (enmity against God), state media said.

Iran Human Rights condemns his execution in the strongest possible terms and urges the international community to stop the execution of protesters.

Director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said: “Mohsen Shekari was executed after a hasty and unfair trial without a lawyer. The international community must immediately and strongly react to this execution. The Islamic Republic must face consequences that will prevent the further execution of protesters. If Mohsen Shekari’s execution is not met with serious consequences for the government, we will face mass execution of protesters.”

He said Official media have reported the confirmation of protester Mahan Sadrat-Marani’s death sentence which has been sent for implementation.

Amnesty International fears that many others in Iran could face the death penalty in relation to the popular uprising, given the thousands of people arrested and indicted. Amnesty International has identified at least 18 others at risk of execution in connection with the protests and at different stages of the criminal justice process.

The 12 people under sentence of death are: Sahand Nourmohammad-Zadeh, Mahan Sedarat Madani, Manouchehr Mehman Navaz, Mohammad Boroughani, Mohammad Ghobadlou, Saman Seydi, Hamid Ghare Hasanlou, Akbar Ghafarri, Unnamed – Alborz, Unnamed – Alborz, Unnamed – Alborz, Unnamed – Alborz.

The six people on trial and/or charged with crimes carrying the death penalty are: Abolfazl Mehri Hossein Hajilou, Mohsen Rezazadeh Gharegholou, Saeed Shirazi, Ebrahim Rahimi, Majidreza Rahnavard, Toomaj Salehi.

Iran's foreign ministry has rejected Western criticism of rights abuses during a government crackdown on the protestors as meddling in Iran's internal affairs and in violation of international law.

Even before the uprising began in mid-September, Amnesty International warned of a horrifying spike in executions in Iran, with the authorities killing at least 251 people in the first six months of 2022

The protests in Iran potentially pose one of the biggest challenges to the theocratic rule in the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.