UN warns Iran executes over 10 people weekly

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - UN human rights chief Volker Turk on Tuesday expressed concern at the “frighteningly high number of executions” carried out by Iran so far this year, numbering to more than 10 on a weekly basis. 

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) cited unnamed sources as saying that at least 209 people had been sentenced to death since January 1 mainly for drug-related charges, but the UN said the figure is expected to be much higher. 

“On average so far this year, over 10 people are put to death each week in Iran, making it one the world’s highest executors,” said Turk. 

“At this rate, Iran is worryingly on the same track as last year when around 580 people were reportedly executed,” he added. 

Iran on Monday carried out the death sentence against two men accused of blasphemy and burning the Quran, three years after their arrest. 

Last week, Iran executed Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Chaab on charges of “terrorism,” sparking condemnation from Sweden and the European Union, as well as outrage on social media. 

The UN said that at least 45 people, including 22 Baluchis, were executed over the last two weeks, with the majority of the charges being drug-related. 

“Imposing the death penalty for drug offences is incompatible with international human rights norms and standards,” Turk said. He also urged Iran to abolish the death penalty.

Baluchis are a mainly Sunni ethnic minority in Iran, living predominantly in the southeastern Baluchestan region, near the border with Pakistan. 

Iran is one of the world’s top executioners with the rate skyrocketing after President Ebrahim Raisi took office in August 2021.

Most of those who are executed are charged based on confessions, but these confession videos are common in Iran and are frequently condemned by rights groups who say they are often obtained under duress.