New UN Secretary-General Report: Executions in Iran Have Increased by 30%

The Secretary-General of the United Nations has announced in a new report that the Islamic Republic of Iran is executing people "at an alarming rate," with the number of executions in the first seven months of this year increasing by 30% compared to the same period last year. Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, noted in the report on the human rights situation in Iran that seven people were executed in connection with the recent nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police. Guterres stated that in all seven cases, information received by the UN Human Rights Office indicates that the judicial process did not meet the requirements for a fair trial under international human rights law, and individuals were deprived of access to timely and adequate legal counsel. Reports of forced confessions that "may have been obtained under torture" have also reached this office. The UN Secretary-General added that the Islamic Republic executed at least 419 people in the first seven months of 2023, with 239, or more than half of those executed, sentenced to death for drug-related offenses. According to this report, this number represents a 98% increase compared to the same period last year. Guterres expressed deep concern over the lack of transparent and independent investigations into human rights violations, particularly regarding the recent nationwide protests in Iran. He referred to information received by the UN Human Rights Office indicating that approximately 20,000 people were detained for participating in protests between September 17, 2022, and February 8, 2023. He noted that most of those detained may have been children, as the reported average age of detainees is estimated to be 15 years. Although Iranian officials claim that at least 22,000 people detained during the protests were pardoned, the Secretary-General stated that verifying the number of detainees and publishing accurate statistics is difficult. Guterres mentioned that several individuals who were pardoned, including women's rights activists, journalists, and members of minority groups, have been summoned or re-arrested on new charges, expressing concern over this issue. He also referred to reports of disproportionate and excessive use of force against protesters, beatings, sexual violence after their arrest, and psychological abuse. Guterres stated that information received by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights indicates that three prominent actresses, Azadeh Samadi, Afsaneh Bayegan, and Leila Bolukat, who appeared in public without hijabs, face a range of sentences including imprisonment from 10 months to two years, participation in weekly counseling sessions, hospital cleaning, a two-year driving ban, and providing a "health certificate." The report highlighted that the denial of adequate medical care in detention remains a "serious concern" in Iran. The Secretary-General noted that the health condition of Nahid Taghavi, a dual German-Iranian citizen serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence for actions against national security in Evin prison, has "significantly" deteriorated. Guterres emphasized that Iranian authorities use the pretext of national security to "justify restrictions on the right to freedom of opinion and expression, both online and offline." He referred to a speech by Ali Khamenei in which he called on the judiciary to "eliminate" opposing voices in cyberspace and tighten control over the virtual space. The UN Secretary-General urged the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately halt all executions, abolish the death penalty, and release all individuals who have been arbitrarily detained. He also called on the Iranian regime to guarantee the right to peaceful assembly and respect the rights related to fair trial processes. Babak Moradifard, a political activist, was once again arrested. There were widespread reactions to the holding of a social assembly meeting of the Human Rights Council chaired by the Islamic Republic. Six prisoners in Ghezal Hesar prison in Karaj were executed. Sadegh Ghasemi, a rapper, was arrested in Ahvaz. Fatemeh Sepahri was denied visits with her children; prison officials stated that her comments in the hospital were "criminal." Hengameh Ghaziani was summoned to the Culture and Media Prosecutor's Office. Amnesty International stated that compulsory hijab is a tool for "widespread and systematic" violations of the rights of women and girls in Iran.