Javaid Rahman’s Second Report: Continued Executions of Juveniles and Human Rights Violations in Iran
Javaid Rahman, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, presented his second report on the state of human rights in Iran to the UN Human Rights Council.
The report, which was prepared on January 30 (February 10), was presented on Wednesday, March 29 at the fortieth session of the UN Human Rights Council.
In his summary of the report, Javaid Rahman emphasizes that the continuation of protests in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including demonstrations, reflects long-standing public dissatisfaction with the human rights situation in the country.
According to the report, mounting economic challenges following the return of American sanctions have worsened the situation of discontent.
Javaid Rahman stated: “The government has taken measures to address economic challenges, but the detention of human rights lawyers, human rights defenders, and labor activists demonstrates the government’s harsh approach to these protests.”
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran expressed concern in the second section of his report about the continued execution of criminals under 18 years of age and considered these executions a violation of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s international legal obligations.
Javaid Rahman, noting that legally it is possible to execute girls as young as 9 years old and boys as young as 15, wrote: “At least since 2013, 33 criminals under 18 years of age have been executed.”
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran then called on Parliament and the Judiciary to stop executing minors under 18 years of age.
Javaid Rahman referred in his report to amendments to the death penalty law for drug traffickers in Iran, a measure that has led to a reduction in the number of executions related to such crimes.
The report also states that from January to October 2018, at least 207 people were executed in Iran. This is compared to the same period in 2017, when at least 437 people had been executed in Iran.
Javaid Rahman expressed concern in his report about the widespread use of capital punishment in the judicial system of the Islamic Republic.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran also referred in this report to the detention of religious and ethnic minorities, including Gonabadi Dervishes, Baha’is, and Christian converts, as well as detentions in the provinces of Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and Sistan and Baluchestan.
The report also mentioned the detention of dual-nationality citizens.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran then addressed protests by social groups in Iran, including protests by workers and teachers.
According to the report, following protests by Haft Tappeh workers, 18 of them were detained, and despite the release of some of these workers, some of them remain imprisoned.
Javaid Rahman also referred to the detention of National Steel workers in Ahvaz.
Source: Radio Farda
