Statement by Representative of the I.R. of Iran before 96th meeting of the Standing Committee of the ExCom of the High Commissioner's Programme

Agenda item 2: International Protection

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Statement

by

Mr. Seyed Hessameddin YASINI

Representative of the Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran

to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva 

before

96th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Executive Committee of

the High Commissioner's Programme

Agenda item 2: International Protection

Geneva, June 16, 2026

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم

Thank you Mr. Chair,

At the outset, I would like to thank the outgoing senior leadership of UNHCR for their valuable contributions and wish them every success in their future endeavors. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the new team.

Iran aligns itself with the OIC statement delivered by Pakistan.

As we mark the seventy-fifth anniversary of the 1951 Convention, this is an appropriate moment to reflect not only on the principles that underpin the international protection regime, but also on their implementation in practice. The Convention emerged from the devastating consequences of war, aggression and mass displacement—lessons that remain highly relevant today.

The first anniversary of the US-Israeli war of aggression launched against Iran on 13 June 2025 serves as a stark reminder that the consequences of war do not end when it stops. They continue to affect civilians, place pressure on national systems and undermine the conditions necessary for protection, resilience and stability. Nine months later, my country was subjected to a second war of aggression, followed by forty days of attacks affecting civilians and civilian infrastructure. While this is not the occasion to revisit the extensive human and material losses caused by these two wars of aggression, the experience of the past year has reinforced an important reality: protection is not only about responding to displacement after it occurs. For major host countries, the consequences of aggression extend beyond immediate humanitarian losses.

In Iran's case, attacks on civilian infrastructure and national capacities came at a time when the country continues to host millions of refugees despite prolonged economic pressures, including the impact of unilateral sanctions. This reality serves as a reminder that weakening the capacities of host countries ultimately weakens protection outcomes as well.

Mr. Chair,

As long as aggression, foreign intervention and instability persist, humanitarian and protection challenges will remain. Addressing the root causes of displacement must therefore remain central to any serious discussion on international protection.

We continue to see this in our region, including in Lebanon, where continued Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty and the fragile security situation continue to affect civilians and hinder conditions conducive to safe and sustainable return.

While we share concerns regarding practices that undermine access to international protection, it is equally important to recognize the legitimate sovereign responsibilities of States in managing their borders and addressing irregular movements in accordance with international law. Clear distinctions should therefore be maintained between refugees, asylum-seekers, returnees and undocumented migrants.

Finally, burden and responsibility-sharing remains a cornerstone of the international protection regime. As we mark the seventyfifth anniversary of the Convention, it is time to translate this principle into practical action. Countries hosting large refugee populations for decades should not be left to shoulder a disproportionate share of responsibilities with limited international support.

I thank you.

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