Second Report by Javid Rahman: Continuation of Executions of Minors and Human Rights Violations in Iran

Javid Rahman, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, presented his second report on the human rights situation in Iran to the UN Human Rights Council. This report, prepared on January 30 (10 Bahman), was presented on Wednesday, March 8, during the fortieth session of the UN Human Rights Council. In the summary of this report, Javid Rahman emphasizes that the continuation of protests in the Islamic Republic of Iran is indicative of the long-standing dissatisfaction of the people regarding the human rights situation in the country. According to the report, increasing economic challenges following the reinstatement of US sanctions have exacerbated the state of dissatisfaction. Rahman stated: 'The government has taken measures to address economic challenges, but the arrest of lawyers, human rights defenders, and labor activists indicates the government's harsh approach to these protests.' The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran expressed concern in the second part of his report about the ongoing execution of offenders under 18 years old, deeming these executions a violation of the Islamic Republic of Iran's international legal obligations. Rahman pointed out that legally, girls as young as 9 and boys as young as 15 can be executed, noting that 'at least 33 offenders under 18 have been executed since 2013.' The UN Special Rapporteur then called on the parliament and judiciary to halt the execution of minors under 18. Rahman also referred to the amendment of the death penalty law for drug traffickers in Iran, which has led to a decrease in the number of executions related to such crimes. The report also states that from January to October 2018, at least 207 people were executed in Iran, while in the same period in 2017, at least 437 people were executed. Javid Rahman expressed concern about the widespread use of the death penalty in the judiciary of the Islamic Republic. The UN Special Rapporteur also mentioned the detention of religious and ethnic minorities, including Gonabadi Dervishes, Baha'is, and Christian converts, as well as arrests in the provinces of Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and Sistan and Baluchestan. The report also mentions the detention of dual nationals. The UN Special Rapporteur then addressed the protests of social groups in Iran, including those of workers and teachers. The report states that following the protests of Haft Tappeh workers, 18 of them were arrested, and despite the release of some of these workers, several remain imprisoned. Rahman also referred to the detention of workers from National Steel Company of Ahvaz.