Ahmad Shahid: Human Rights Situation in Iran Has Deteriorated Under Rouhani

Ahmad Shahid, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, stated that the human rights situation in Iran has "worsened" during Hassan Rouhani's presidency, adding that Tehran might take steps to improve human rights conditions if a nuclear agreement is reached with the Islamic Republic. According to Reuters, Mr. Shahid said on Monday, March 16, that the Islamic Republic has executed more than 200 people since the beginning of this year. Last year, the Islamic Republic also carried out at least 753 confirmed executions, the highest number since 2002. In a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, Mr. Shahid added, "The Iranian society has great concerns that the nuclear file will overshadow human rights issues. In my opinion, if improvements are made in security-related interactions, there will be potential improvements in other areas as part of broader interactions." The remarks of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran coincided with high-level nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States in the Swiss city of Lausanne. According to Mr. Shahid, the increase in executions and the existence of laws that threaten the space for the activities of NGOs, legal communities, political parties, and human rights defenders are signs of the worsening human rights situation in Iran during Hassan Rouhani's presidency. Ahmad Shahid, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, recently called on the Islamic Republic to repeal laws restricting freedom of expression and the media, release imprisoned journalists and bloggers, and end the jamming of satellite signals and blocking of websites. Iranian officials reacted strongly to Mr. Shahid's statements, rejecting the report.