GENEVA (19 May 2023) – The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran is deeply alarmed at the continuing executions of protesters pending investigations of alleged human rights violations.
The executions today of Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashemi and Saeed Yaghoubi are profoundly concerning in view of the reported involvement of these individuals in the protests that commenced in Iran on 16 September 2022, and allegations of their having been convicted and sentenced through confessions obtained under torture.
The Fact-Finding Mission, mandated to investigate all alleged human rights violations relating to the protests, has earlier sought information in relation to the imposition of the death penalty upon protesters.
The Fact-Finding Mission reminds all State authorities and individuals involved in this process, that any execution following a fair trial violation would amount to arbitrary deprivation of life and a violation of international law.
ENDS
Background: The UN Human Rights Council established the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran on 24 November 2022 to investigate alleged human rights violations related to the protests that began on 16 September 2022, especially with respect to women and children. The Mission is due to present an oral update to the Council during an interactive dialogue at its fifty-third session (June/July 2023) and to present a comprehensive report on its findings during an interactive dialogue at its fifty-fifth session (March 2024). The Commission comprises Sara Hossain (Chair), Shaheen Sardar Ali, and Viviana Krsticevic.
For more information and media requests, please contact: Todd Pitman, Media Adviser for the HRC’s Investigative Missions, todd.pitman@un.org, Cell: +41 76 691 1761, or Pascal Sim, HRC Media Officer, simp@un.org.
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