The United Nations has condemned the executions of a teenage boy and a 22-year-old man in Iran – and known as for a right away “halt” on the loss of life penalty within the nation.
The UN Human Rights Workplace stated it “deplores” the executions, which have been reportedly carried out by Iranian authorities final Friday.
The Iran Human Rights group stated paperwork confirmed 17-year-old Hamidreza Azari died in Sabzevar Jail after he was alleged to have dedicated homicide in April, when he was 16.
The group stated the boy gave a “compelled confession” and state media had reported his age to be 18.
“This can be a deliberate try and evade accountability for violating worldwide legal guidelines which explicitly prohibit using the loss of life penalty towards juvenile offenders,” a press release from Iran Human Rights stated.
UN Human Rights Workplace spokesperson Liz Throssell stated it was “the primary reported execution of an alleged youngster offender in Iran this 12 months”.
She added that the UN was “troubled” by the loss of life of 22-year-old Milad Zohrevand who’s “the eighth individual to be executed within the context of the September 2022 protests”.
“Obtainable info signifies that his trial lacked the fundamental necessities for due course of below worldwide human rights legislation,” Ms Throssell stated.
“There are additionally troubling studies that Zohrevand’s dad and mom have been arrested following his execution.”
There have been widespread protests in Iran in September 2022 following Mahsa Amini’s loss of life in police custody.
Mahsa Amini’s loss of life in police custody sparked protests in Iran
Ms Throssel reminded Iran of its obligation below worldwide conventions “to ban loss of life sentences and their implementation for crimes dedicated by people under the age of 18”.
The UN has urged the Iranian authorities to “set up a moratorium” on the loss of life penalty, including it “could solely be imposed for essentially the most severe crimes, which refers to crimes of maximum gravity that consequence deliberately and instantly in loss of life”.
It additionally known as for Tehran to “cease utilizing legal procedures” to punish political activists and people exercising their rights to freedom of speech and peaceable meeting.
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Protests mark anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s loss of life
Protests broke out in Iran final 12 months after Ms Amini died following her detention by morality police, who have been imposing the nation’s strict hijab guidelines.
Iran executed no less than 582 individuals final 12 months, the very best since 2015, with the bulk carried out for homicide and drug offences, in accordance with Iran Human Rights.
At the least three juvenile offenders and 16 girls have been executed, its report added.