[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Oct. 9



IRAN:

UN human rights report expresses concern about surge in executions, torture and 
suppression


Excerpts of October 2014 report of Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, the Special Rapporteur on 
the situation of human rights in Iran:

"The human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran remains of 
concern." "Various laws, policies and institutional practices continue to 
undermine the conditions needed for the realization of the fundamental rights 
guaranteed by international and national law."

"Between July 2013 and June 2014, at least 852 individuals were reportedly 
executed representing an alarming increase in the number of executions in 
relation to the already-high rates of previous years. The Government also 
continues to execute juvenile offenders. In 2014 alone, 8 individuals believed 
to be under 18 years of age at the time of their alleged crimes were reportedly 
executed."

"The execution of individuals for exercising their protected rights, including 
of freedom of expression and association, is deeply troubling. Members of 
ethnic minority groups, in particular those espousing ethnocultural, linguistic 
or minority religious rights, appear to be disproportionately charged with 
moharebeh and mofsed fel-arz, sometimes seemingly for exercising their rights 
to peaceful expression and association."

"Continuing reports regarding the use of psychological and physical torture to 
solicit confessions indicate the widespread and systematic use of such 
practices. Of the 24 Iranian refugees in Turkey who provided testimony for the 
present report, 20 reported torture and ill-treatment and 16 psychological 
abuse, such as prolonged solitary confinement, mock executions and the threat 
of rape, along with physical abuse, including severe beatings, use of 
suspension and pressure positions, electroshock and burnings. Reports of 
amputation and corporal punishment (e.g. flogging), which are considered 
incompatible with article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and 
Political Rights, were also received."

"Recent cases regarding several other Internet users underscore a pattern of 
continuing general repression of freedom of expression and, in some cases, 
freedom of movement."

"Severe content restrictions, intimidation and prosecution of Internet users 
and limitations on Internet access through throttling and filtering persist, 
however. Some 5 million websites remain blocked. The top 500 blocked websites 
include many dedicated to the arts, social issues, news and those ranked in the 
top tiers of popularity nationally."

"As at June 2014, at least 300 minority religious practitioners were reportedly 
imprisoned, including 3 active members of the Yarsan faith, in addition to 
members of newer spiritual movements."

"At least 49 Protestant Christians are currently detained, many for involvement 
in informal house churches."

(source: NCR-Iran)