UN Rapporteurs Call for Halt to Death Sentences of Three Kurdish Prisoners in Iran

Javid Rahman, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, and Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions, called on Iranian authorities on Friday, September 7, to immediately halt the execution of Kurdish political prisoners Zanyar Moradi, Luqman Moradi, and Ramin Hossein Panahi. In a statement, the UN rapporteurs said: 'We urge the Iranian government to immediately stop the execution of these individuals and to revoke the death sentences issued against them in accordance with its international obligations.' Luqman and Zanyar Moradi, two condemned Kurdish citizens, were transferred to solitary confinement in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj without any specific reason, raising concerns about the potential execution of their sentences. Luqman and Zanyar Moradi are cousins. The UN rapporteurs indicated that the execution of Luqman and Zanyar Moradi is likely to take place on Saturday. Javid Rahman and Agnes Callamard emphasized that, based on the information received, the rights of Luqman and Zanyar Moradi were violated before and after their trial; they were subjected to torture and ill-treatment and were denied access to a lawyer. The UN rapporteurs stated that the death sentences issued for Luqman and Zanyar Moradi were not issued in a fair trial, and they were deprived of the right to due process, which they should have been entitled to under international human rights law. Javid Rahman and Agnes Callamard also expressed concern about Zanyar Moradi's physical health, stating that he suffers from the physical consequences of torture and ill-treatment during his imprisonment. Regarding Ramin Hossein Panahi, the UN experts indicated that his death sentence is also likely to be carried out on Saturday. They reiterated that Ramin Hossein Panahi was not tried in a fair court and was subjected to torture and ill-treatment during his imprisonment. Amin Hossein Panahi was arrested last July on charges of membership in the 'Komala Party' and 'Baghi' or armed rebellion against the Islamic government, and was sentenced to death by the first branch of the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj. Meanwhile, his brother, Amjad Hossein Panahi, has described Ramin as a 'political and civil activist' and has called for a public trial for him.