GENEVA – The United Nations’ leading human rights official issued an urgent plea Friday for Iran to immediately halt all death penalty executions, expressing alarm that numerous additional protesters could face capital punishment following this week’s first execution sentence connected to January’s widespread demonstrations.
Speaking before the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Volker Turk expressed his shock at recent developments in Iran. “I am horrified by reports that at least eight people, including two children, have been sentenced to death in connection with the protests,” Turk stated, noting that approximately 30 additional individuals appear to face similar potential sentences.
The warning comes as Iran continues its crackdown on demonstrators who participated in mass protests throughout the country in January.
