On Tuesday, the UN Human Rights Chief declared that Iran’s regimen executed over ten people weekly; at least 209 executions this year.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk said on Tuesday that Iran had executed a “frighteningly” high number of people this year, rising to more than ten per week on average.
At least 209 people were executed in the country since January 1, primarily for drug-related offenses, but a United Nations statement revealed the actual number is likely much higher.
According to Volker Turk, “over ten people are put to death each week in Iran, making it one of the world’s highest executors.” He added that Iranian situation is worrying as last year, when the regimen executed around 580 people.
On Monday, Iran hanged two men on charges of spreading blasphemy on social media, prompting US condemnation and accusations from Amnesty International that the Islamic Republic has reached a “new low” in a spree of executions.
On Saturday, Iran executed Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Chaab for “terrorism,” prompting sharp criticism from Sweden and the European Union.
The UN said at least 45 people, including 22 from the Baluch minority, were executed in the last 14 days alone. Most were executed for drug-related charges.
According to Turk, implementing capital punishment for drug-related crimes is not in line with the global standards and principles of human rights.
The Human Rights Committee has clearly stated that only the most severe crimes, such as intentional homicide, warrant the death penalty, and that drug offenses do not qualify as serious crimes.
