UN: 482 People Executed in Iran Over the Past Year

The United Nations presented its annual report on the human rights situation in Iran on Wednesday, March 30, during its session in Geneva, Switzerland.

In the published report, which is a summary of the annual report of the Human Rights Council as well as reports from the UN Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, concern was expressed about the high number of executions, particularly the execution of minors, and welcomed the change in the law imposing severe punishment for drug offenders.

In the text of this 15-page report, various matters related to the human rights situation in Iran were examined. The report welcomed the change in the law imposing severe punishment for drug offenders and states that this law will change the fate of 5,300 offenders who face capital punishment.

The report states that the Islamic Republic of Iran cooperated with the UN special rapporteur on human rights in official correspondence and answered his questions, but did not allow him to visit Iran.

The report notes that in the area of freedom of expression, protection of minority rights, and allowing them to work in Iran, no progress has been made and suppression and restrictions in these areas continue.

Referring to execution statistics, the report states that 482 people were executed in Iran in the past calendar year. Of these, 213 were executed on drug-related charges and 202 for murder. 24 were hanged for sexual assault charges, 16 for theft and armed robbery, and 2 for political crimes.

Of those executed in the past calendar year, six were women and five were individuals who committed crimes before reaching the age of majority. Execution statistics in Iran one year prior were 530 and two years prior were 969 people.

The report states that although execution statistics in Iran have been declining, they still account for an alarmingly high number.

Based on the findings of this report, those sentenced to death do not have access to sufficient legal protective measures. It was also stated that drug-related offenders and defendants do not have adequate access to lawyers and other legal rights.

In this review, the change in the law imposing severe punishment for drug offenders was welcomed, and the Islamic Republic of Iran was asked to commute sentences as quickly as possible for those who were supposed to be executed under the previous law.

The law on punishment for drug crimes became enforceable on November 14 of this year after approval by the Guardian Council. The law removed capital punishment from some cases and replaced it with alternative sentences such as life imprisonment, long-term imprisonment, and fines.

The passage of this law generated many reactions.

Following this, Sadegh Larijani, the head of the judiciary, requested in a circular that judges review all drug-related cases. Defendants whose cases involve execution or life imprisonment sentences can also request a retrial.

Prison Conditions

Prison conditions in Iran were also examined in this report, and it was stated that some prison wards face overcrowding beyond standard capacity and the statistics on the use of solitary confinement are concerning.

The report refers to violations of equal rights for women and the lack of adequate rights for minorities. The report states that access to social and professional activities for minorities such as Baha’is, Baloch Sunnis, Yarsan, and Kurds face severe restrictions.

Based on this report, and only in the past calendar year, 1,828 Kurds were arrested and imprisoned on charges such as environmental protection activities, eating and drinking in public during Ramadan, working as porters, and expressing joy and welcoming the establishment of a referendum on Kurdish independence in Iraq.

In the UN report, suppression and lack of protective rights for the LGBTQ+ community were also mentioned. The report also refers to the lack of protective laws to eliminate discrimination against people with physical disabilities or mental health limitations.

The lack of adequate space for critics and opponents and arbitrary arrests are other matters mentioned in this report. The report asked Iranian authorities to cooperate with UN offices to improve the rights of all sections of Iranian society and implement necessary reforms.

Source: Radio Farda