Forty seven countries condemn human rights violations in Iran at UN Human Rights Council
1-October-2020
Category: executions، Freedom of Expression
Breathing in Confinement: On Friday, September 25, in an unprecedented event, 47 countries present at the UN Human Rights Council meeting, released a joint statement read by the German representative, condemning the repeated human rights violations in Iran. These countries expressed grave concern over “arbitrary detentions, unfair trials, forced confessions and torture” against the prisoners who were arrested during recent nationwide protests in Iran.
Citing the case of Barzan Nasrollahzadeh, an under eighteen Sunni prisoner, sentenced to death on the charge of “Moharebeh”, the signatory countries referred to the execution of juveniles in Iran as another example of human rights violation.
In another part of the statement, the rushed execution of Navid Afkari, despite the reports on him being forced to confess under the torture, has been condemned.
The signatories of the statement also called for the immediate release of prisoners of conscience as well as political prisoners, referring the intimidation and pressure on women’s rights defenders, environmental activists and lawyers in Iran.
The 47 states also called on the Iranian government to cooperate with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran to ensure the independence of the judiciary, fairness of the rules of procedure and the unrestricted access of defendants to lawyers.