UN Rights chief lambasts Iran for 'weaponising death penalty' amid nationwide protests

United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk lambasted Iranian regime on Tuesday for "weaponising death penalty saying that executions violated international human rights law. “ weaponization of criminal procedures to punish people for exercising ir basic rights – such as those participating in or organizing demonstrations - amounts to state sanctioned killing,” Türk said. Criminal proceedings and death penalty are being weaponized by Iranian Government to punish individuals participating in protests and to strike fear into population so as to stamp out dissent, which is in violation of international human rights law, Türk said in a statement. 

se remarks come after four individuals were executed over past month in Iran regime's stringent relation to anti-government protests in Iran. individuals faced expedited trials that did t meet minimum guarantees of fair trial and due process required by international human rights law binding on Iran, making ir executions tantamount to arbitrary deprivation of life. “ Government of Iran would better serve its interests and those of its people by listening to ir grievances, and by undertaking legal and policy reforms necessary to ensure respect for diversity of opinion, rights to freedom of expression and assembly, and full respect and protection of rights of women in all areas of life," said Türk.

Furrmore, Türk added, death sentences were imposed following convictions on charges – such as moharebeh (waging war against God) and efsad-e fel arz (corruption on earth) – that fall far short of ‘ most serious crimes’ as required by international human rights law. This means crimes of extreme gravity, such as intentional killing.

Which protestors have been executed?

According to reports, first of four executions – that of Mohsen Shekari – was carried out on December 8, 2022. Four days later, Majdireza Rahanavard was executed just 23 days after his arrest on vember 19. On January 7, 2023, Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Mohammad Hosseini were executed. All were executed secretly without ir families being informed. "This in itself constitutes a violation of international human rights law," said a statement by UN Human Rights Office of High Commissioner.

UN Human Rights Office said that it had received information that two furr executions were imminent - that of Mohammad Boroughani, d 19, and Mohammad Ghobadiou, d 22. At least 17 ors have been reportedly sentenced to death, and up to 100 more face charges for capital crimes. 

Thousands have been detained since nation-wide protests erupted last September following death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died shortly after she was arrested for improperly wearing her hijab. Hundreds have died in government crackdown against demonstrators. 

“I reiterate once more my call to Government of Iran to respect lives and voices of its people, to impose an immediate moratorium on death penalty and to halt all executions,” High Commissioner for Human Rights said. “Iran must take sincere steps to embark on reforms that are required and demanded by ir own people for respect and protection of ir human rights," he added.

Three more protestors sentenced to death 

Iran's judiciary has sentenced three more men, Saleh Mir-Hashemi, Majid Kazemi, and Saeed Yaghoubi, to death for "war against God" for ir alleged role in shooting of three government nts during a day of protests in Khane-ye Esfahan neighborhood on vember 16, as per a report by Iran International. verdicts were based on confessions made in absence of lawyers appointed by accused and are subject to appeal, but in previous cases involving protesters, appeal process has t overturned verdicts in what many believe to be sham trials. Ar defendant, Amir Nasr-Azadani, a footballer, was sentenced to 21 years in prison on charges of "aiding in war against God" and "assembly and collusion leading to security-related crimes".