Iran has executed at least 56 people on national security-related charges since March 19, including 27 whose cases were linked to anti-government protests earlier this year, the United Nations human rights chief said on Wednesday.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said he was alarmed by the increase in executions and death sentences issued in Iran since March, accusing authorities of using capital punishment to intimidate the public and silence dissent.
“I am alarmed by the rise in executions and death sentences issued in Iran since March, and that capital punishment continues to be used to instil fear among the population and suppress dissent,” Türk said in a statement.
Iranian security forces killed thousands of people during nationwide anti-government demonstrations in January, marking the country’s most serious domestic unrest in decades.
Human rights organisations say Tehran has continued its crackdown on government opponents during the conflict triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran that began in late February.
Türk said more than 100 other people were at risk of execution on similar national security charges. He added that executions for drug-related offences were also continuing at what he described as an alarming rate.
The UN rights chief urged Iranian authorities to immediately halt all executions and take steps towards abolishing the death penalty. He also raised concerns about alleged failures to guarantee fair trials and due process for defendants facing capital punishment.
Iran’s diplomatic mission in Geneva did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Iranian officials have previously defended the country’s judicial procedures and use of the death penalty, saying they comply with domestic law and are necessary to protect public security.
