UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk Warns Iran Over Rising Executions and Lack of Due Process
UN human rights chief Volker Türk expressed alarm over the increasing number of executions in Iran, noting that capital punishment is being used to suppress dissent and instill fear. Since March 19, at least 56 people have been executed on national security-related charges, including 27 linked to January's nationwide anti-government protests. Türk noted that more than 100 others remain at risk of execution, while drug-related offenses continue to see high execution rates. Iran is currently the world's second-most prolific executioner after China. Last year, the country put to death at least 2,159 people, the highest figure on record since 1981. Türk urged Iranian authorities to halt all executions and move toward abolishing the death penalty, citing a persistent lack of fair trial guarantees and confessions allegedly obtained under torture. He highlighted that several executions were reportedly carried out in public, with some occurring only weeks after arrest. The Iranian government has previously defended the death penalty, stating it is reserved for the most severe crimes.