9. Question No. 9—Foreign AffairsIBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister of Foreign AffairsQuestion No. 9—Foreign Affairs9. IBRAHIM OMER (Labour) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: What recent announcements has she made in response to Iran's ongoing human rights abuses?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA (Minister of Foreign Affairs): Thank you for the question. Recently we have announced an extension to travel bans on individuals responsible for the Iranian Government's violent response to protests particularly in the wake of Mahsa Amini's death in police custody last year. This extension of the travel ban increases the number of banned individuals from 37 to 55 covering more senior Iranian officials involved in human rights violations and the violent suppression of protests. We have taken these steps to condemn the continued harsh repression of peaceful demonstrators and the severe human rights abuses in Iran including the unjust execution of individuals and the strict enforcement of the Islamic dress code on Iranian women and girls. We stand with likeminded international partners in expressing our deep concern over these actions.Ibrahim Omer: What criteria have been used to identify the individuals to whom the travel ban has been extended?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: The individuals selected for the travel ban are predominantly those who have played significant roles in the egregious human rights abuses in Iran. These include high-ranking Iranian officials involved in the violent suppression of the protests members of the Iranian judiciary responsible for issuing death sentences in unfair trials and members of both the law enforcement command and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). By extending the travel bans we are sending a clear message that these gross human rights violations will not be tolerated and that those responsible will face serious international consequences.Ibrahim Omer: What additional measures are under consideration to further pressure the Iranian Government particularly with regard to its execution of death penalties and the imposition of strict Islamic dress codes on women and girls?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: We are continuously reviewing and assessing our stance and actions regarding the human rights situation in Iran. As I've mentioned additional individuals and measures remain under consideration. These measures could include further diplomatic actions. We are also working closely with our international partners to coordinate a unified response to the situation. The enforcement of the Islamic dress code on women and girls is indeed concerning and we're exploring ways to exert pressure on Iran to respect the rights and freedoms of all its citizens.Golriz Ghahraman: Has the Minister spoken with Prime Minister Hipkins since he became Prime Minister about exercising his discretion to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard or morality police a terrorist entity pursuant to existing legislation which would allow not only travel bans but importantly the freezing of assets and banning of funding mechanisms of most individuals who are responsible for terrorising Iranians?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: The position of the Government remains the same but in light of the particular question regarding the conversation no that has not taken place. New Zealand has not designated the IRGC as a terrorist entity as the IRGC is still considered unlikely to meet the definition of a terrorist entity including because it's not clear that it would meet the Act's definition of an entity. The Terrorism Suppression Act was never intended as a means to respond to human rights violations. Aotearoa New Zealand has other measures against the IRGC and these include travel bans sanctions under our Russia Sanctions Act specifically for their role in supporting the illegal invasion of Ukraine and other UN-mandated sanctions of the IRGC role in nuclear proliferation activities.Ibrahim Omer: With the recent extension of the travel ban how does New Zealand plan to ensure the effectiveness of these measures and what actions will New Zealand take if Iran continues to resist this course?Hon NANAIA MAHUTA: New Zealand is committed to upholding human rights and freedom as a nation. We are continuously monitoring the situation in Iran and are prepared to adapt our approach and escalate our actions as necessary. While a part of our response these travel bans are by no means the limit of our actions. If Iran continues to ignore these calls for respecting human rights we are prepared to consider more severe measures in coordination with our international partners. Our goal is clear: the Iranian Government must cease its human rights violations and we will continue to apply pressure until this goal is achieved.