CRC/C/IRN/CO/3-4

Islamic Republic of Iran (CRC 14-03-2016)

The Committee considered the combined third and fourth periodic reports of the Islamic Republic of Iran (CRC/C/IRN/3-4) at its 2055th and 2057th meetings (see CRC/C/SR.2055 and 2057), held on 11 and 12 January 2016, and adopted the following
concluding observations at its 2104th meeting (see CRC/C/SR.2104), held on 29 January 2016.

Concluding observations

C. General principles (arts. 2, 3, 6 and 12)

Non-discriminations

31.  The Committee is also concerned about the continued discrimination against children belonging to religious minorities, especially Baha’i children and Sunni children, as well as children who belong to minority ethnic and linguistic groups, children born out of wedlock, and to a certain extent, asylum-seeking and refugee children. Furthermore, it is concerned that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) children continue to face discrimination because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or identity and that the same-sex sexual behaviour of adolescents above the current age of criminal responsibility is criminalized and punished with penalties ranging from flogging to the death penalty.

32. The Committee recommends that the State party take effective measures, including accountability, to put an end to discrimination against religious, ethnic and linguistic minorities, children born out of wedlock and asylum-seeking and refugee children, and that it ensure that those responsible for any forms of discrimination against such groups are held accountable. Furthermore, the Committee recommends that the State party decriminalize same-sex relations and take measures to eliminate discrimination against LGBTI children.