Human Rights Defenders: The Human Rights Situation in Iran Was Dire in 2018

In 2018, as in previous years, the performance of Iranian officials regarding human rights was criticized; from UN resolutions to numerous statements from active organizations in this field accusing Iranian officials of 'human rights violations' and 'failure to adhere to their international commitments.' The United Nations, in a resolution passed on December 17, detailed what it called 'human rights violations in Iran,' a resolution that Islamic Republic officials described as 'biased and invalid.' 'Violation of the right to life' is one of the most significant criticisms consistently raised against Iran. The Iran Human Rights Organization published its annual report on executions in Iran at the end of 2018, indicating that Iran remains the second country in the world in terms of the high number of executions. Amnesty International labeled the previous year, which largely coincided with 2018, as a 'year of shame' for the Iranian government, stating that approximately seven thousand people were detained in Iran during this period, including journalists, environmental activists, students, lawyers, human rights defenders, minorities, workers, and labor activists. As the Iranian year 1399 began, despite all these criticisms, hundreds awaited the implementation of their death sentences, while journalists, social media activists, lawyers, and political and civil activists in Iran continued to be detained and sentenced to prison on security charges. These detentions and sentences, according to human rights defenders, contradict global laws and Iran's international commitments. Nevertheless, Islamic Republic officials deny the allegations of human rights violations in Iran.