UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran Javaid Rehman has expressed deep concern at the use of the death penalty in Iran, including against minors.
His report was brought up during the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, and is based on written reports and information from sources including non-government organizations, defenders of human rights, governments and media outlets.
He said the human rights situation in Iran is being exacerbated by a number of "distressing factors".
Rehman continued that the Iranians were impacted by the economic sanctions imposed by the US in Nov. 2018. Further, he added that restrictions on freedom of speech and the continuous patterns of violating the rights to life, freedom and fair trials have mounted.
Rehman expressed deep concern at the overall use of the death penalty in Iran, saying its execution rate “remains one of the highest in the world” with at least 253 executions in 2018. Currently, there are 90 individuals on death row who were under 18 at the time of their offenses.
He also expressed concern at the arbitrary arrest, detention, ill-treatment, and denial of medical care for dual and foreign nationals.
Ethnic and religious minorities are disproportionately represented in Tehran’s executions on charges related to national security, and among its political prisoners, Rehman said.
“They are subject to arbitrary arrests and detention for their participation in a range of peaceful activities, such as advocacy for the use of minority languages, for organizing or taking part in peaceful protests and for affiliation with opposition parties,” he said.
"Over the past 40 years, the Bahais numbering an estimated 350,000, have suffered from the most egregious forms of repression, persecution and victimization," the UN expert added.
