Amnesty International has expressed “grave” concern that at least seven people in Iran are at grave risk of execution after being unjustly convicted in connection with anti-government protests, while dozens of others face capital punishment.
“The authorities have violated their fair trial rights and subjected many to torture and other ill-treatment, including floggings, electric shocks, death threats and sexual violence,” the London-based human rights group said on May 23, adding that seven people have already been executed in Iran in connection with the protests after “grossly unfair trials marred by torture allegations.”
Amid a spike in executions in recent weeks, the Islamic Republic arbitrarilly executed three protesters on May 19, sparking an outcry both inside and outside Iran.
The Islamic Republic has cracked down hard on last year’s widespread protests demanding fundamental economic, social and political changes. More than 520 people were killed during demonstrations and over 20,000 others were unlawfully detained, activists say. Following biased trials, the judiciary has handed down stiff sentences to protesters.
Amnesty International urged the Iranian authorities to “immediately quash all convictions and death sentences stemming from the protests, refrain from seeking further death sentences, and ensure that anyone charged with a recognizable criminal offence is tried in proceedings meeting international fair trial standards without recourse to the death penalty.”
Those detained should be provided access to their families and lawyers of their own choosing, and be protected from torture and other ill-treatment, while torture allegations should be investigated and those found responsible be brought to justice in fair trials, the group said.
It added that the authorities should also grant independent observers access to trials and those on death row, and immediately establish an official moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing capital punishment.
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