Tehran is using death penalty sentences against demonstrators to frighten the Iranian population and silence protest, which borders on "
state murder
", the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Tuesday 10 January. man, Volker Türk.
"
The weaponization of criminal proceedings to punish people who exercise their basic rights, such as those who participate in or organize demonstrations, borders on state murder
", criticizes Volker Türk in a press release.
These executions are "
arbitrary deprivations of life
", insisted Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner during a press briefing in Geneva.
"
The UN
is against the death penalty in all circumstances
", recalled Ravina Shamdasani, who denounces in the case of the executed Iranians "
a lack of respect for procedures, accusations which are completely fallacious and which make no sense
" .
.
"
These are accusations of corruption on Earth and war against God, which are formulated in a very vague way
", she insisted, also reporting "
serious allegations of torture and ill-treatment, humiliating treatment before their executions
”.
Four executions
Tehran has already executed four people accused of having taken part in the demonstrations which have shaken the country for four months and the death of a young woman accused of wearing the veil badly by the morality police.
Two other executions are imminent - that of Mohammad Boroughani, 19, and that of Mohammad Ghobadlou, 22 - and at least 17 others are believed to have been sentenced to death, the High Commission said in a statement.
“
The Iranian government would better serve its interests and those of its people by listening to their grievances and undertaking the necessary legal and policy reforms to ensure respect for diversity of opinion, the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, and full respect and protection of women's rights in all areas of life
“, insists the High Commissioner again.
Read alsoIran: the mullahs stifle protest
According to the representative of the High Commission for the Middle East and North Africa, Mohammad Al Nsour, Volker Türk must meet “
soon
” Iranian representatives in Geneva, as part of his normal activities.
On the other hand, nothing concrete on a possible trip by Volker Türk to Tehran, as he had expressed the wish to meet the authorities, including the Supreme Guide Ali Khamenei.
"
There is no date and there is currently no discussion on the framework of this visit
," said Mohammad Al Nsour.
The High Commissioner wishes in particular to ask Iran "
to repeal some of the discriminatory practices against women and young girls
" and also to discuss the repression of demonstrations, he had indicated in an interview with the AFP last week.
Volker Türk has consistently condemned the crackdown on protests in Iran, sparked in mid-September by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, detained for violating the Islamic Republic's strict dress code.
Read alsoCaricatures in Charlie Hebdo: Iran retaliates and closes a French research center
According to the Oslo-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR), the crackdown left at least 476 people dead, while several thousand people were arrested.
“
I once again reiterate my call on the Iranian government to respect the lives and voices of its people, impose an immediate moratorium on the death penalty and end all executions
,” underlined Volker Türk in the press release.
“
Iran must take sincere steps to embark on the reforms required and demanded by its own people for the respect and protection of their human rights
,” he demanded.
