UN Experts: Executions in the Islamic Republic are 'Arbitrary'

A number of United Nations experts, coinciding with the World Day Against the Death Penalty, expressed concern over the rising number of executions in Iran and called for an immediate halt to such actions in a statement. They noted that over 400 executions have been carried out in Iran this year, emphasizing that the issuance of death sentences for drug-related offenses, adultery, homosexuality, and political and religious crimes demonstrates the arbitrary nature of these executions in the Islamic Republic. The experts particularly expressed concern over long-term prison sentences and executions against women from minority groups due to charges related to 'national security,' stating that the reason for these sentences is their activism in defending women's rights. According to the UN experts, the Islamic Republic's issuance of death sentences against women activists aims to suppress the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement. They referenced the killing of 551 Iranian citizens during protests against the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, noting that 49 of the deceased were women and 68 were children. The UN experts reminded that the issuance of death sentences against activists and supporters of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement should be understood in the context of the violent suppression of women's independence, particularly through the enforcement of mandatory hijab laws. They stated that the Iranian government must hold accountable those responsible for unlawful killings during the nationwide protests following Mahsa (Zhina)'s death. At the end of their statement, the UN experts urged the authorities of the Islamic Republic to halt the execution of sentences, especially those related to protests. Among the signatories of this statement are Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, Morris Tidball-Binz, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial and arbitrary executions, and Mary Lawlor, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. Shirin Ebadi: Death is the true identity of the Islamic Republic. A human rights organization: The international community should not remain silent regarding the statistic of one execution every five hours in Iran. Prince Reza Pahlavi: On the World Day Against the Death Penalty, all eyes should be on the Islamic Republic. Varishe Moradi, a political prisoner accused of sedition, has gone on an indefinite hunger strike. At least five prisoners were executed in Shiraz and Urmia on the World Day Against the Death Penalty.