UN Human Rights Office Condemns Execution of 17-Year-Old and 22-Year-Old Man in Iran

The United Nations Human Rights Office has condemned the execution of a 17-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man by the Islamic Republic of Iran in a statement. Liz Throssell, the spokesperson for this office, referred to the execution of Hamidreza Azari, accused of murder, which is the first reported execution of a juvenile offender in Iran this year. She reminded the Iranian authorities of their commitment to international civil and political rights laws and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibits the death penalty for crimes committed by individuals under 18. The statement also expressed sorrow over the execution of Milad Zahrawand, 22, who was executed on the same day and was the eighth person executed in connection with the protests of last September. Milad Zahrawand, from Malayer and a detainee during the nationwide protests of 2022, was accused of killing a member of the Revolutionary Guards, Ali Nazari. The Hengaw human rights website reported that despite the family of Ali Nazari expressing their definitive consent, the Revolutionary Guards took over the family's representation and demanded the execution of Milad Zahrawand. The UN Human Rights Office emphasized that the available information indicated that Zahrawand's trial lacked the requirements of international human rights laws regarding fair trial standards, and concerning reports of the detention of his parents following his execution have emerged. The statement noted that Iran is one of the countries with the highest number of executions, especially related to drug offenses, and minorities are disproportionately sentenced to death. The UN Human Rights Office has called on the Iranian government to halt the death penalty and to apply it only for the most serious crimes that intentionally and directly lead to death. Liz Throssell also urged the Islamic Republic of Iran to refrain from using criminal methods to punish political activists and those exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.