UN Human Rights Commissioner Expresses Concern Over Executions of Inmates Following Prison Protests in Iran

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the execution of two juvenile offenders in Iran within four days, while expressing concern over the carrying out of death sentences against other inmates who participated in recent prison protests in Iranian detention facilities.

Michelle Bachelet on Wednesday, February 23, also called on the authorities of the Islamic Republic to investigate the death of Danial Zein-Al-Abedin as a result of “torture” in prison and to punish those responsible for his killing.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement condemning the execution of Shayan Saeidpour and Majid Ismaeilzadeh, who were under 18 years old at the time of committing murder.

In her statement, she emphasized that the execution of Shayan Saeidpour and Majid Ismaeilzadeh, following inmate protests in a number of Iranian prisons, “increases concerns about the possibility of accelerating executions of other death row inmates due to participation in these protests.”

Several Iranian prisons have witnessed inmate protests in recent weeks against denial of furloughs and prison conditions, which in some cases led to riots.

Shayan Saeidpour was among 80 inmates who escaped from Saqqez Prison on March 27. He was re-arrested on April 5 and executed on February 21 in the central prison of Saqqez city.

Ms. Bachelet stated that Saeidpour was tried in a trial that had “deep flaws” and was sentenced to death for murder while he was under 18 years old.

On April 20, it was also reported that Majid Ismaeilzadeh was executed in Ardabil Prison. He too was sentenced to death for murder while he was under 18 years old.

The UN Human Rights Commissioner stated in her statement that despite repeated contacts by her office with responsible institutions in Iran, the sentencing of juvenile offenders to death and the carrying out of their sentences continues.

She criticized this behavior of the Islamic Republic government and once again called on Iran to comply with its commitments to international human rights standards and immediately halt the execution of all juvenile offenders and annul all death sentences in these cases.

Iran is one of only four places in the world that executes juvenile offenders (those who committed crimes before the age of 18). Death sentences for juvenile offenders are also carried out in Saudi Arabia, areas controlled by Houthis in Yemen, and the Gaza Strip.

Iran carries out executions of individuals under 18 years old while having signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child. According to this international treaty, the imposition of the death penalty for children is prohibited.

Michelle Bachelet also stated in this statement that the killing of Danial Zein-Al-Abedin in prison and through “beating” constitutes “a gross violation of the right to life under international human rights law.”

She called on the authorities of the Islamic Republic to investigate the death of Danial Zein-Al-Abedin as soon as possible and to punish those responsible for this killing.

Previously, human rights organizations had reported that Danial Zein-Al-Abedin, a young man sentenced to death in Mahabad Prison, was killed as a result of beatings by prison officers.

Zein-Al-Abedin and several other inmates were beaten by the officers of that prison on the charge of having a role in the inmate riot in Mahabad Prison on March 31, and were transferred to Miandoab Prison.

According to reports from human rights organizations, he was also beaten by officers in Miandoab Prison and died.

Danial Zein-Al-Abedin killed a teenager at age 17 and was sentenced to death.

Source: Radio Farda