France Strongly Condemns Death Sentence for Tomaj Salehi

The French Foreign Ministry, in a statement, called the death sentence for Tomaj Salehi, a protesting rapper in Iran, "unacceptable" and condemned it strongly. The statement described the ruling against this Iranian protest artist as "inexcusable," similar to other death sentences issued for protesters against the killing of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini while in custody of the morality police. It noted that the French government has publicly condemned this approach of the Islamic Republic multiple times, as well as in direct communications with Iranian officials. The statement mentions that France, along with its European partners, has imposed sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations in Iran. The French Foreign Ministry also expressed its opposition to the death penalty in any place and under any circumstances, emphasizing its commitment to the global abolition of this "unjust and inhumane" punishment. The ministry stressed that the issuance and execution of death sentences against Iranian protesters, as well as other unacceptable and serious violations of the fundamental rights and freedoms of Iranians by the Islamic Republic's authorities, cannot be a response to the legitimate demands of the Iranian people for freedom in their country. Simultaneously, a group of United Nations experts called for the immediate release of Tomaj Salehi and urged the Iranian authorities to revoke his death sentence. They emphasized in a statement that criticism of government policies, including through artistic expression, is protected under the right to freedom of expression and the right to participate in cultural life and should not be criminalized. These experts added that art should be allowed to criticize, inspire, and push boundaries. The UN experts stated: "We are concerned about the issuance of the death sentence and the mistreatment of Mr. Salehi, which appears to be solely due to his exercise of the right to artistic freedom of expression and creativity." They described Tomaj Salehi's protest songs as "the embodiment of artistic freedom and cultural rights." Amir Reisiyaan, one of Tomaj Salehi's lawyers, reported on Wednesday, May 25, that Branch 1 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Isfahan "in an unprecedented action, did not implement the Supreme Court ruling regarding Tomaj Salehi's case from 2022 and, while considering this ruling advisory and emphasizing the independence of the lower court, sentenced Tomaj Salehi to the harshest punishment, namely death, on the charge of corruption on earth." This protest rapper is currently in custody at the Dastgerd prison in Isfahan. The issuance of this artist's death sentence has sparked a wave of protests inside and outside Iran, with social media users trending the hashtag "Tomaj Salehi" globally. UN experts, in their statement, referred to reports from Iran regarding the increasing detention of artists, activists, and journalists on charges such as "spreading falsehoods" or "propaganda against the regime," expressing concern over the criminalization of legitimate artistic activities and the imposition of a range of dubious charges for these activities. Javid Rahman, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran; Alexandra Zantaki, the Special Rapporteur on cultural rights; Maurice Tidball-Binz, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial or arbitrary executions; Alice Jill Edwards, the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; and Irene Khan, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of expression and opinion, are among the experts who issued this statement.