Iran executes at least 40 people since year's start, UN rights chief says

Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has strongly criticized Iran's human rights record, describing citizens as "caught between war and brutal oppression." Speaking at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Türk highlighted the Iranian authorities' intensified "brutal actions" against critics since the violent suppression of protests in January.

“

people in Iran are 'caught between war and brutal oppression.'

Thousands have been arrested, and public discourse faces even greater restrictions. Türk reported that authorities have executed at least 40 people, including 18 protesters, since the beginning of the year, citing national security as the reason. Human rights organizations place Iran second only to China in the number of executions worldwide. Last year, Iran saw at least 1,639 executions, the highest number since 1989, according to two human rights groups.

“

since the beginning of the year, for national security reasons, at least 40 people have been executed, including 18 protesters

Türk welcomed a recent agreement to end a conflict, urging all parties to exercise maximum restraint and ensure its swift and fair implementation. The report comes amid ongoing tensions, with the US and Israel reportedly launching intense attacks against the country in late February.

“

All parties must now demonstrate maximum restraint and strive for the swift and fair implementation of the achieved agreement.