Iran's Death Penalty: UN Condemns 'State Intimidation' as Executions Surpass 800 this Year

Strategic Insights -

The increase in executions carried out in Iran this year indicates that the death penalty is being used as a tool of state intimidation, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) said on Friday. At least 841 people have been put to death by the Government of Iran since the beginning of the year, with ethnic minorities and migrants disproportionately targeted, said OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani. Executions have been carried out publicly, with seven reported this year, and the real situation might be worse due to the lack of transparency in the use of the death penalty.

Key Takeaways:

  • 841 people have been executed by the Government of Iran since the beginning of the year, with ethnic minorities and migrants disproportionately targeted.
  • Executions have been carried out publicly, with seven reported this year.
  • The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has called for a moratorium on the application of the capital punishment as a step towards its abolition.
  • The Government of Iran is accused of using the death penalty as a tool of state intimidation.
  • Eleven people now face imminent execution, including six who have been charged with "armed rebellion" and five who took part in the 2022 protests.
  • The UN Secretary-General has called for an end to nuclear testing and progress towards full disarmament.

Statistics:

  • At least 841 people have been put to death by the Government of Iran since the beginning of the year.
  • 7 executions have been carried out publicly this year.
  • Over 2,000 nuclear tests have been carried out worldwide since the first test in 1945.
  • The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) was adopted by a large majority in 1996 but still not in force nearly three decades later.
  • 2,000 nuclear tests have been carrying out a grave danger amid rising geopolitical tensions.

Sources:

  • United Nations human rights office (OHCHR) spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani
  • UN Secretary-General António Guterres
  • UN General Assembly
  • Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)
  • OHCHR (http://www.ohchr.org/EN/pages/home.aspx)
  • UN Charter