New Zealand is suspending its bilateral Human Rights Dialogue with Iran as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announce New Zealand's response to anti-regime protests crackdown in Iran.
The two countries first established dialogue in 2018 to discuss human rights concerns. The first session was held in 2021 and the next was due to take place later this year.
But foreign affairs minister Nanaia Mahuta said bilateral approaches on human rights are no longer tenable when Iran is denying basic human rights and violently suppressing protests.
There have been widespread protests in Iran for weeks, in response to the death of 22 year old Mahsa Amini, who died in custody after being arrested for violating the country's dress code.
The government had so far been quiet on the issue - with recent news of two New Zealanders, Topher Richwhite and Bridget Thackwray arriving safely in New Zealand after having their movements restricted by Iranian authorities.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she was urging United Nations member states to remove Iran from the UN Commission for Status of Women.
Further advice had been sought on further actions that could be taken by the government to amplify condemnation of Iran's human rights abuse and demonstrate support to all those in Iran, she said.
Earliert, Ardern said the government worked hard over the past several months to ensure the safe exit of the two social media influencers from Iran.
Last week Green Party foreign affairs spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman said there was no longer anything stopping the government taking stronger action.
Ghahraman wanted a freeze on the assets, bank accounts and travel of people supporting violence in Iran.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta are set to announce New Zealand's response to anti-regime protests crackdown in Iran. Photo: Pool / NZME