The UK’s Minister of State for the Middle East Lord (Tariq) Ahmad
has urged the Iranian regime to listen to the calls from the
international community and end the surge in executions,
following a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council today.
The UN Fact Finding Mission, set up by the Human Rights Council
earlier this year to investigate Iran's human rights violations,
reported to the Council on human rights violations during recent
protests in Iran.
Following the meeting more than 50 states, including the UK,
signed a statement led by Costa
Rica criticising the ‘alarming pace’ of executions in Iran.
The regime has carried out more than 300 executions in 2023
alone. This is a shocking trend - executions are on track to
exceed 2022, and more than double 2021’s figures. Analysis of the
executions has shown that many are for minor crimes such as
non-violent drug offences and the list included five individuals
arrested following the death of Mahsa Amini.
The statement called out the frequent reports of forced
confessions, following torture and inhumane treatment, leading to
death penalty sentences in Iran.
Lord Ahmad said:
“The UK and our partners have today condemned the Iranian regime
for their brutal use of executions to stifle dissent.
“The regime cannot continue to ignore the calls from the Iranian
people, and the international community, for change.
“A moratorium on the death penalty must be the first step in the
regime changing course and listening to the concerns of the
Iranian people.”
The UK has more than 350 sanctions in place on Iranian
individuals and entities in response to the regime’s actions,
including on the Prosecutor General and Deputy Prosecutor General
who are responsible for Iran’s application of the death penalty.
