Volker Turk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. file. , Photo Credit: AP
UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Tuesday that Iran has executed an “appalling” high number of people this year, averaging more than ten per week.
At least 209 people were executed in the country since January 1, mainly for drug-related crimes, but a UN statement said the real number was likely much higher.
“So far this year, on average, more than ten people are executed in Iran every week, making it one of the world’s top executioners,” Mr Turki said.
“At this rate, Iran is on the same track as last year, when some 580 people were sentenced to death,” he said, calling this track record “disgusting”.
Iran on Monday executed two men accused of spreading blasphemy on social media, with Amnesty International condemning the US and accusing the Islamic republic of reaching a “new low” in capital punishment.
On Saturday, Iran executed Swedish-Iranian dissident Habib Chabab for “terrorism”, prompting sharp criticism from Sweden and the European Union.
The United Nations said at least 45 people, including 22 from the Baloch minority, had been executed in the past 14 days. Most were executed for drug-related charges.
Turk said, “Imposing the death penalty for drug offenses is inconsistent with international human rights norms and standards.”
“The Human Rights Committee…is clear on barring the death penalty for anything except the ‘most serious crimes’ – extremely serious crimes, which include premeditated murder. Drug offenses do not meet this threshold.”