“Iran’s Executions of Tortured Protesters Demand a Forceful Response from the Global Community”

Three Executed Protesters in Iran: A Flagrant Disregard for Human Rights

The Gruesome Execution

The horrifying execution of three Iranian protesters, Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashemi, and Saeed Yaghoubi, has yet again brought to the fore the Iranian government’s blatant disregard for human rights, particularly the right to a fair trial and to life. The Amnesty International Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Diana Eltahawy, has deplored the “shocking speed at which these men were ushered to their deaths” and the government’s use of the death penalty as a tool to repress political dissent.

According to reports, the men were arrested in November 2022 for participating in the nationwide protests triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini. They were subjected to torture while forcibly disappeared and made to confess to crimes they did not commit. The Iranian authorities used their torture-tainted confession as evidence in a grossly unfair trial that bore no resemblance to meaningful judicial proceedings. The Supreme Court had rubber-stamped their unjust convictions and sentences without regard for the lack of evidence and serious allegations of torture. Consequently, they were sentenced to death and executed within 通過 o months of their arrest, an indication of the government’s determination to stop dissent using brutal methods.

The Impunity of Iranian Authorities

Amnesty International has noted that the Iranian authorities’ continued use of the death penalty against protesters indicates that they seek to crush and punish dissent at all costs. It is a strategy that thrives on the unrelenting impunity of the authorities in Iran. In the absence of a robust international response, the Iranian government feels they can engage in politically motivated killings with impunity.

Governments worldwide are urged to publicly denounce the Iranian government’s use of the death penalty by using universal jurisdiction to hold accountable all Iranian officials responsible for crimes under international law. The continued arbitrary deprivation of life at a horrific rate under the guise of judicial executions in Iran means that the world cannot afford to ignore these violent, politically motivated killings.

The Widespread Use of the Death Penalty in Iran

Iran is known for its widespread use of the death penalty, with thousands of people reported to be on death row. Amnesty International notes that the Iranian government has used the death penalty as a tool to repress political dissent, leading to a sharp increase in the number of executions since 2019. In 2021, Iran executed 233 people, including at least four political prisoners and eight individuals who were arrested for their participation in the protests. The execution of the three protesters, including Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashemi, and Saeed Yaghoubi, brings the number of executions carried out in Iran in 2022 to at least 49.

Call for Urgent Action

Amnesty International calls on all governments to urgently denounce these executions, exercise universal jurisdiction over all Iranian officials responsible for crimes under international law, and put an end to the death penalty. These actions must be taken to ensure that the authorities understand, in no uncertain terms, that the world will not stand idly by as political repression intensifies. It is vital that the international community puts pressure on the Iranian government to stop its use of the death penalty as a tool to repress dissent and end the impunity that allows them to engage in such heinous acts against their citizens.

The Need to Promote Human Rights

The Iranian government must come to realize that fundamental human rights, including the right to life and a fair trial, are non-negotiable and must be respected, upheld and protected under all circumstances. The government’s continued use of the death penalty to quell political dissent will only serve to further damage its reputation on the global stage. Ultimately, the Iranian government must embrace progressive policies that promote and protect all human rights and engage in meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, including activists, civil society organizations, and the international community.`