UN Experts Urge Iran to Halt Protest Executions

Sara Hossain, Chair of the UN Human Rights Council-mandated Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran. (file)

Independent UN human rights experts on Thursday called on Iran to immediately halt the execution of 10 men convicted in connection with protests in the central city of Isfahan earlier this year, warning that some of their relatives have already been summoned for final visits.

The appeal by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran followed the execution of two other men in the same case on 19 July—Erfan Esfandiari, who was reportedly 18 years old, and Gol Mohammad Mohammadi, a 23-year-old Afghan national.

The experts strongly condemned the executions, which come amid longstanding UN concerns over Iran's increasing use of the death penalty and ongoing regional hostilities that began in late February.

Families Summoned

All 12 men were arrested in connection with protests held on 8 January in Isfahan's Alikhani Square, during which four members of the security forces were killed.

"According to credible information, the families of at least two of the remaining 10 men have been summoned for final visits, suggesting that more executions are imminent," the experts said.

They noted that the executions follow a broader pattern linked to nationwide protests that began last December, with Iranian authorities carrying out multiple executions in recent months.

In March, three young men were executed in Qom after being convicted in connection with the killing of members of the security forces.

The following month, four other young men were executed after being convicted over an alleged attack on a base belonging to the Basij, a paramilitary volunteer force within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in Tehran.

Rising Use of the Death Penalty

The mission said the latest cases add to a growing number of executions during periods of political and social unrest.

According to credible reports, more than 60 people, including at least three women and two boys, have been sentenced to death since December.

Iran's judiciary says 23 men have already been executed in connection with the protests since March.

Concerns Over Fast-Tracked Cases

The experts also expressed concern that Iranian authorities are accelerating legal proceedings in capital punishment cases linked to the protests and national security charges.

They referred to a 15 July announcement by Tehran Prosecutor General Ali Salehi, issued following a directive from Judiciary Chief Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje'i, ordering the expedited handling of such cases.

According to the prosecutor, all cases related to the June hostilities, the conflict that began on 28 February and the protests that started on 28 December have been completed and referred to the courts.

Call for a Moratorium

The experts warned that the announcement raises serious concerns about further death sentences and executions.

They reiterated their call for Iran to immediately halt all executions, including those involving people convicted in connection with the protests, and to establish a moratorium on the death penalty as a step towards its eventual abolition.

The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran was established by the UN Human Rights Council in November 2022.

The three-member mission comprises Sara Hossain (chair), Viviana Krsticevic and Max du Plessis, who serve independently and are neither UN employees nor paid for their work.