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The UN human rights chief said Iran was weaponizing the death penalty to intimidate protesters and silence dissent, slamming what he said were executions amounting to “state-sanctioned killings”.
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“Weaponizing the criminal process to punish those exercising fundamental rights — such as those who participate in or organize demonstrations — amounts to state-sanctioned killings,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, who said executions violated the law. International Human Rights Law.
Iran on Saturday hanged two men suspected of killing a member of its security forces during anti-hijab protests that have gripped the country since September, and made scathing comments.
The statement said the UN human rights office had received information that two others were about to be executed.
“The Iranian government is weaponizing criminal proceedings and the death penalty to punish individuals for participating in the protests and to create fear among the population in an effort to silence dissent, in violation of international human rights law,” said UN human rights chief Volker Turk office said.
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“The Iranian government will better serve its own interests and those of its people by listening to their grievances and making necessary legal and policy reforms to ensure respect for diversity of opinion, the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, and the full respect and protection of Women’s rights in all spheres of life,” the statement added.
“I reiterate my call on the Iranian government to respect the lives and voices of its people, to impose an immediate moratorium on executions and to halt all executions,” Volkerturk said. He urged Iran to take steps to reform the country’s rules for “respecting and protecting human rights”.
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