UN Experts: The Death Sentence of Pakhshan Azizi Violates International Law

A group of United Nations experts expressed deep concern on Tuesday, January 25, over the confirmation of the death sentence of Pakhshan Azizi, an activist and social worker, by the Supreme Court of the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to the UN Human Rights Council website, they wrote: "The charges against Ms. Pakhshan Azizi do not reach the level of the most serious crimes necessary for the death penalty under international law," emphasizing that "her death sentence constitutes a serious violation of international human rights law." Ms. Azizi was sentenced to death and four years in prison on August 24 of this year by Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, presided over by Iman Afshari, on charges of "rebellion through membership in opposition groups." She was arrested last summer by the intelligence forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tehran. UN experts noted: "The arrest and conviction of Ms. Azizi appear to be solely due to her legitimate activities as a social worker, including support for refugees in Iraq and Syria." They expressed concern over reports of "severe psychological and physical torture during solitary confinement to extract confessions" and her deprivation of family visits and access to her chosen lawyer. The experts added that several members of Pakhshan Azizi's family have also been temporarily detained and faced national security charges, likely to pressure her into forced confessions. They stated: "The use of torture to extract confessions and deprivation of the right to a fair trial indicates the arbitrary and illegal nature of the death sentence against Ms. Azizi." In their statement, the experts expressed serious concern about the rising number of death sentences and executions in the Islamic Republic of Iran, noting that the number of executions in Iran in 2024 has surpassed 900, with an increase in the execution of women as well. They emphasized the need to halt executions that contradict international law requirements and violate fundamental rights and freedoms, adding: "We are deeply concerned about the targeting of Kurdish women activists with fabricated political charges." The UN experts added: "The case of Ms. Azizi reflects the intensified harassment of female activists from ethnic minorities in Iran and continues the efforts to punish and silence them through creating a climate of intimidation." They called on Iranian authorities to immediately revoke the death sentence of Pakhshan Azizi and investigate allegations of torture and violations of the right to a fair trial, as well as to end the harassment and targeting of women activists in Iran. The confirmation of Pakhshan Azizi's death sentence by the Supreme Court has sparked widespread protests and criticisms. In the latest of these protests, the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company condemned the "unjust confirmation of the death sentence against Pakhshan Azizi" and the issuance and execution of other death sentences against civil, social, and political activists in Iran. This labor organization pointed out that Pakhshan Azizi was sentenced to death by the Islamic Revolutionary Court on the false charge of "rebellion" due to her civil and peaceful activities, including helping women and children displaced in Syria and Iraq. The syndicate described the confirmation of Ms. Azizi's death sentence as "indicative of the continuation of systematic repression and complete violation of justice in the judicial system" of the Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasizing: "The trial of Pakhshan Azizi, which has been accompanied by torture, enforced disappearance, forced confessions, and widespread violations of due process rights, is a clear example of the expansion of repression against civil activists and human rights defenders." The Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company added: "These sentences are part of repressive policies aimed at creating fear and suppressing the freedom-seeking and justice-seeking of oppressed people." This labor organization called for the immediate halt of Pakhshan Azizi's death sentence, her unconditional release, and the annulment of death sentences against Behrouz Ehsani, Mahdi Hasani, Varishe Moradi, and other civil and political activists, labeling the death penalty as "an inhumane punishment and a repressive tool." The Kurdish Teachers' Association also criticized the confirmation of Pakhshan Azizi's death sentence, stating: "The death penalty not only does not remedy any of the countless pains and sufferings of society but rather exacerbates the situation." This teachers' union called on judicial, security, and executive officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran to cancel all death sentences and to initiate necessary efforts and investigations to completely and permanently abolish the death penalty from criminal codes and laws. Support from the Mothers of Justice Seekers in Boukan for Pakhshan Azizi and Varishe Moradi: "No to execution". Sepideh Ghaliyan: The Islamic Republic has unleashed a bloody scythe upon prisoners. A statement from 68 human rights and women's organizations: The death sentence of Pakhshan Azizi must be revoked. About 70 political prisoners: The inhumane and reactionary punishment of death must be abolished. Amnesty International: The confirmation of Pakhshan Azizi's death sentence is unjust. Reactions from 5 political prisoners to death sentences: The pain of the Supreme Leader cannot be cured. Confirmation of the death sentences of three political prisoners by the Supreme Court of the Islamic Republic. Warning from the "Tuesdays No to Execution" campaign: Confirmation of the death sentences of 8 Arab and Baluch prisoners.