Joint statement at Human Rights Council 46th Regular Session: Flight PS752

Madame President,

I have the honour of making this statement on behalf of Sweden, Ukraine, The United Kingdom, and my own country, Canada.

It is just over a year since the tragic downing of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752. That crash, caused by 2 Iranian surface-to-air missiles, killed 176 people, many of whom were travelling home for the holidays or returning to school. We continue to mourn this devastating loss.

In February, Special Rapporteurs Callamard and Rehman released a letter sent to the government of Iran, which outlined a number of very serious allegations which are extremely troubling. Chief amongst their concerns is that the right to life of the 176 passengers and crew members was violated. It is our understanding that Iran has not responded to this letter.

We are aware of allegations of entirely unacceptable harassment and threats made against family members of some victims, something that the Special Rapporteur also raised in her letter.

We call on Iran to:

• reply to the letter as soon as possible and certainly in advance of the Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur Callamard at the Human Rights Council’s 47th Regular Session
• engage constructively with the international community, especially relevant UN bodies and mandate holders, to address the troubling allegations
• immediately stop any harassment and intimidation of victims’ families, both in Iran and elsewhere
• conduct a full and transparent criminal investigation and impartial judicial proceedings as part of their obligation to provide justice for the victims of this tragedy
• provide a comprehensive account of the events that led to the downing. Iran owes answers to the families and to the world.

The special rapporteurs’ letter to Iran adds weight to our repeated calls for transparency, accountability and justice for the victims of PS752 and their families. Iran must be held accountable for this tragedy.

Thank you.