UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: I am concerned about the sharp increase in executions in Iran

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern over the sharp increase in the use of the death penalty in Iran, including the executions of Mohammad Qabadi and Farhad Salimi on Tuesday, January 23. Volker Turk stated in a statement that, according to reports, at least 54 people have been executed in Iran since the beginning of this year, emphasizing that the death penalty is incompatible with the most fundamental human rights, namely the right to life, and called for an "immediate halt" to it. The statement noted that Mohammad Qabadi is the ninth person executed in connection with last year's nationwide protests, and the Islamic Republic also executed Farhad Salimi, a Kurdish prisoner, after he had spent 14 years in prison, on the same day. Volker Turk stressed that the right to a fair trial must be respected for all defendants. He also expressed "serious" concern over reports of forced confessions from these individuals, stating that such confessions should not be used as evidence in any trial. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights urged the Islamic Republic's government to temporarily suspend the death penalty with the aim of completely abolishing it. Mr. Turk emphasized that three-quarters of the world's countries have abolished the death penalty in law or in practice and urged the Islamic Republic's officials to follow the same path. The executions of Mohammad Qabadi and Farhad Salimi were met with widespread reactions from international organizations and figures. Amnesty International described the executions of Mohammad Qabadi and Farhad Salimi by the Islamic Republic's authorities as a "terrible descent" into a "new realm of oppression". The executions took place early on Tuesday, January 23, at the Qazalhasar prison in Karaj and were met with widespread reactions from human rights organizations and prominent political, artistic, and sports figures in Iran and around the world. Abram Paley, the Deputy Special Representative of the United States for Iran, stated on the messaging platform "X" on Tuesday that "Mohammad Qabadi should be alive today" and added, "But the Islamic Republic must know that we strongly condemn the sham trials and executions of all those who participated in the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests and consider these actions unjust." A group of UN experts, including Javide Rahman, the UN Special Rapporteur, also condemned these executions and urged the Islamic Republic of Iran to fulfill its obligations under international human rights law. This group of UN experts expressed concern over reports regarding the "unfair" trials of Mr. Qabadi and others, which are contrary to fair trial standards under international human rights law. Reactions from Amnesty International to the two executions in Iran: The Islamic Republic is descending into new realms of oppression. Reactions to the executions of Mohammad Qabadi and Farhad Salimi: The Islamic Republic's "revenge" on the people of Iran. Continued global reactions to the executions of Mohammad Qabadi and Farhad Salimi: Those responsible for the executions in Iran should be held accountable. Global reactions to the executions of Qabadi and Salimi; calls for the international community to respond decisively to the Islamic Republic. Reactions from UN experts to the execution of Mohammad Qabadi: The Islamic Republic must stop the "terrible wave" of executions. Reactions from artists and athletes to the executions of Mohammad Qabadi and Farhad Salimi.