UN Special Rapporteur Expresses Concern Over Executions and Freedom of Expression Violations in Iran

The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, Maïssa Sato, expressed concern on Thursday, November 8, during an interview with the organization's internet television, about the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly regarding violations of freedom of expression and assembly, as well as the increasing number of executions. Sato highlighted the high number of executions in Iran and expressed concern over the rising number of executions, especially in recent months, stating that according to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the imposition and issuance of death sentences should be reduced and only considered for serious crimes. She also criticized the trend of restricting freedoms and civil rights by the Islamic Republic and expressed concern over the threats faced by human rights defenders and journalists from the Iranian government, saying, "In some cases, human rights activists and journalists face vague charges related to national security after their arrest, and in some cases, when these individuals are imprisoned, they are deprived of medical services." The UN Special Rapporteur previously presented her preliminary report on the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Human Rights Committee of the UN General Assembly on Friday, November 3. Maïssa Sato emphasized that she carries out her mission with a "commitment to independence, impartiality, and integrity" and stressed the need for "data transparency from the Islamic Republic," urging the international community to support her and encourage the Islamic Republic to engage constructively with this mission. The UN Special Rapporteur noted that from a human rights perspective, the situation of women and girls in Iran has worsened. She called for unhindered access to human rights resources in Iran. UN experts stated that executions in the Islamic Republic are "arbitrary." Shirin Ebadi remarked that death is the true identity of the Islamic Republic's government. Prince Reza Pahlavi stated that on the International Day Against the Death Penalty, all eyes should be on the Islamic Republic.