TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations on Tuesday condemned violence against Iran’s consular and diplomatic missions in European countries.

“My delegation would like to express its condemnation of any acts of violence committed against its missions and representatives,” Zahra Ershadi said, IRNA reported.

Ershadi made the statement before the sixth committee of the UN General Assembly on “consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic missions and representatives”.

The female diplomat also advised the foreign governments and their embassies in Tehran not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Islamic Republic.

Below is the text of the diplomat’s remarks:

The Islamic Republic of Iran underscores the essential role of diplomatic missions and envoys in enhancing international cooperation as well as peaceful coexistence. To that end, we acknowledge that the efficient performance of the functions of diplomatic missions as representing States must be ensured through adherence to the principles and rules of international law governing diplomatic and consular relations, including those derived from the principle of sovereign equality of States. We recognize that this is a basic prerequisite as well for the normal conduct of relations among States and for the fulfillment of the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has made every effort to provide a peaceful environment and full facilities for the performance of the functions of the diplomatic and consular missions as well as their representatives in its territory.

However, unfortunately, some of the diplomatic and consular premises as well as missions of the Islamic Republic of Iran and their members have been the target of acts of violence within certain European countries, including Norway, Belgium, Greece, Germany, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Italy, United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden. Such acts of violence have occurred recently and in the wake of peaceful assemblies in my Country.

In addition to being exceptional and significant, the scope and scale of this well-organized violence against Iranian diplomatic and consular facilities, as well as their representatives in Europe, are also a part of a larger campaign that some States have been waging against Iran.

My delegation would like to express its condemnation of any acts of violence committed against its missions and representatives, in particular, the significant delays in intervention or failure to take any measures by receiving states’ law enforcement forces in some cases. We particularly express our strong objection to the forceful intrusion of our diplomatic and consular premises in Tirana on 8 September 2022 by Albanian police forces after the unilateral severance of bilateral relations by the Government of Albania.

A screen grab from a video of a gathering in front of the Iranian embassy in Norway, where several people attempted to enter the mission, on September 29, 2022. We would also like to inform you that acts of violence conducted against our diplomatic and consular premises and their representatives also include the provocations among local populations in some of our neighboring countries, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, by the diplomatic missions of a number of specific countries accredited to those countries authorities, which have led to violence and vandalism against Iranian diplomatic and consular premises.

While a list of these violations has been provided by my Government under this agenda item contained in the report of the Secretary-General in document A/77/208, we would like to recall the obligations of receiving states to abide by their responsibilities under international law, including both the 1961 and 1963 Vienna Conventions.

Speaking of non-discrimination in the fulfillment of obligations according to the rules of diplomatic and consular law, we also urge the receiving countries as well as the Host Countries of the UN Headquarters to adhere to the principle of non-discrimination and non-intervention of their bilateral political relations in upholding their international commitments under relevant international instruments, including the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, by providing equal treatment and protection for all diplomatic staff.

The Islamic Republic of Iran invites the respective States to engage in a constructive dialogue with the diplomatic missions in their territories with a view to examining the most effective ways to ensure the full protection of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives. This includes taking effective practical measures to prevent and prohibit the occurrence of such disturbing events, making reparations for the damages inflicted as a result of acts of violence, including damages to the affected premises and their owners, whether private or governmental, as well as bringing to justice those who are liable for these violations.

In the same vein, we entered into bilateral negotiations with the Government of the Republic of Iraq concerning damages inflicted on Iranian diplomatic and consular premises within its territory. Based on our agreements during bilateral negotiations conducted on 16 June 2022 in Baghdad as well as its letter to the Secretary-General dated 1 June 2022 (no. 4C/150), the Republic of Iraq has committed to liquidating compensation for the damages afflicted on Iranian premises within Iraq. While we appreciate the latter’s decision for compensation and the fortification of measures to protect those premises, we continue to follow the matter through bilateral communications in an effort to reach tangible results.

My delegation would also like to raise its concerns over the unlawful attempts made by certain states to misuse diplomatic immunities and privileges to conceal operations that would ultimately undermine the sanctity of the functions of diplomatic envoys. My Government has conveyed its strong objections to certain specific delegations accredited to the Islamic Republic of Iran due to the same misconduct within its territory. We urge these sending states to honor their commitments under both the 1961 and 1963 Vienna Conventions on diplomatic and consular relations and in this regard, we highlight the obligation of the sending states under article 41 of the 1961 Vienna Convention to avoid using their diplomatic and consular premises in any manner that is incompatible with the functions of diplomatic and consular missions.

Members of the missions and the sending States are expected to fully respect Iran's laws and regulations as the receiving state, including refraining from meddling in its internal affairs.
Finally, Mr. Chairperson, the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its efforts to ensure the enhanced protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions as well as representatives in its territory. Iran remains willing to resolve any disputes in this respect peacefully and strongly urges other States to uphold their obligations under the two Vienna Conventions.