Australia sanctions more Iranian human rights abusers

Australia has sanctioned human rights abusers in Iran, including state police and media.

The sanctions come on the eve of the anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, who died after being detained by Iran's so-called morality police for not wearing her hijab correctly. 

Those sanctioned include the spokesperson for the Law Enforcement Forces, involved in cracking down on women who defy the nation's veiling laws, and the head of the nation's cyber police who censored widespread protests.

Two Iran Broadcasting reporters have also been sanctioned as have a web-hosting service and a satellite channel sponsored by Iranian state media.

The 22-year-old Ms Amini's death sparked outrage against the brutal autocratic regime when she was killed in September 2022.

The regime then drew further condemnation for torturing and executing protesters.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia stood in solidarity with the people in Iran and the new sanctions would target those who oppress women and girls.

"While the protests may have subsided, the suffering has not," she told parliament on Wednesday.

"Women and girls in Iran still face systemic persecution, sexist discrimination continues to be entrenched in Iranian law and in practice."

Senator Wong said Tehran needed to prosecute those responsible for Ms Amini's death instead of clinging to claims she died of natural causes.

She said the authoritarian government's push to strengthen hijab and chastity laws that would punish women for violating modesty laws "are just some of the reminders of the entrenched discrimination that has such profound impacts on Iranian women".

Liberal senator Claire Chandler criticised the government for moving too slowly and not listening to the calls from Australia's Iranian community.

The Iranian community backed the findings of a Senate committee looking into human rights abuses and violence in their home nation.

It recommended the government expel any Iranian official in Australia involved in the intimidation, threats, or monitoring of the diaspora.

"How can you not accept that recommendation when the government and the Australian public knows that intimidation and harassment of Australians is occurring and has even been publicly attributed to the Iranian regime?" Senator Chandler said.

She also questioned why it had taken the government seven months to officially respond to the committee report "which was undertaken urgently to respond to a crisis situation".

Of the 12 recommendations, the government accepted two, partly accepted a third, noted seven and rejected two.

It noted the call to expel those caught surveilling Iranian-Australians and rejected the recommendation to officially list the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation.

The government said it did not have the power to list the corps under national security legislation.

It also noted the call to minimise diplomatic relations with Iran to "the greatest possible extent", saying Australia would continue to engage with Tehran "when it is in our interests to do so".

Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil has previously revealed that the government derailed a surveillance plot by Iranian officials against an Iranian-Australian. 

She pledged to be more transparent about foreign interference operations on Australian soil but has not revealed anything further since her speech in February.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store