The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has called today to immediately release thousands of protesters who have been arbitrarily deprived of their liberty while exercising their legitimate rights to freedom of expression, and to stop using the death penalty as a tool to squash protests.
“As of the 12th of November, excessive use of force used by security forces has led to the killing of at least 326 individuals, including 43 children and 25 women,” told OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence a news briefing at the United Nations in Geneva.
The UN Human Rights Office recalled, that under international law, countries that have not yet abolished the death penalty may only impose it for the “most serious crimes” which is interpreted as crimes of extreme gravity, involving intentional killing.
“We therefore call on the Iranian authorities to immediately impose a moratorium on the death penalty, and to refrain from charging capital crimes, and to revoke death sentences issued for crimes not qualifying as the most serious crimes,” said OHCHR’s Jeremy Laurence.
Protests against Iran's government erupted two months ago after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly breaking the strict hijab rules. Demonstrations are reported to have spread to 140 cities and towns and evolved into the most significant challenge to the Islamic Republic in over a decade.
Instead of opening space for dialogue on legitimate grievances, the authorities are responding to unprecedented protests with increasing severity, according to OHCHR.
“On Sunday, an Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran found an unnamed protester guilty of moharebeh, or ‘waging war against God’, and efsad-e-fel-arz, or ‘corruption on earth’ for allegedly damaging public property and the person was sentenced to death.”
OHCHR reported that the Tehran prosecutor said that more than 1,000 indictments had been issued against those arrested in relation to protest in Tehran province alone. Hundreds of other indictments have been issued in the rest of the country.
“We urge the authorities to immediately release all those detained in connection to peaceful protests, and to drop the charges against them”, said Jeremy Laurence. He added that «human rights law protects the rights of people to peaceful assembly and to freedom of expression.”
The UN Human Rights Council will hold a special session to address “the deteriorating human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran” on Thursday, 24 November.
-ends-
- Medium shot, UN Geneva flag alley.
- Wide shot, press room with panel of speakers.
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH), OHCHR spokesperson, Jeremy Laurence: “As of the 12th of November, excessive use of force used by security forces has led to the killing of at least 326 individuals, including 43 children and 25 women.”
- Medium shot, camerawomen filming, staff monitoring.
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH), OHCHR spokesperson, Jeremy Laurence: “On Sunday, an Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran found an unnamed protester guilty of moharebeh, or ‘waging war against God’, and efsad-e-fel-arz, or ‘corruption on earth’ for allegedly damaging public property and the person was sentenced to death.”
- Medium shot, journalists taking notes.
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH), OHCHR spokesperson, Jeremy Laurence: “We urge the authorities to immediately release all those detained in connection to peaceful protests, and to drop the charges against them. Human rights law protects the rights of people to peaceful assembly and to freedom of expression.”
- Medium shot, staff monitoring, journalists taking notes.
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH), OHCHR spokesperson, Jeremy Laurence: “We therefore call on the Iranian authorities to immediately impose a moratorium on the death penalty, and to refrain from charging capital crimes, and to revoke death sentences issued for crimes not qualifying as the most serious crimes.”
- Close-up shot, journalists taking notes.
- Medium shot, press room with panel of speakers.
- Close-up shot, journalists taking notes.
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
Israeli military operations in Lebanon continue to kill and injure civilians, and destroy civilian infrastructure, raising concerns regarding the protection of civilians, the UN Human Rights Office warned today.
1
1
1
Edited News | IOM , UNWOMEN , UNDP
Sudan: Aid teams report massive displacement after latest Darfur atrocity; women’s bodies ‘turned into battlegrounds’
In Sudan’s North Darfur, tens of thousands of people have fled a displacement camp following the massacre of civilians and aid workers as the country enters the third year of a conflict marked by horrific levels of sexual violence, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | ITC
Global trade could shrink by three per cent as a result of the United States’ new tariff measures which in the longer term could reshape and boost as-yet untapped regional commercial links, a top UN economist confirmed on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
Warring parties in Sudan are overseeing a wholesale assault on human rights amid global inaction, the UN Human Rights Office said on Friday, as the conflict is about to enter its third year.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
The UN Human Rights Office on Friday said Israel’s increasing issuance of so-called “evacuation orders” for Palestinians in Gaza have resulted in their forcible transfer.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , OHCHR , UNHCR , UNWOMEN , WFP , WHO
Two years of war in Sudan have created epic suffering, aid agencies say
Two years since Sudan’s brutal conflict began, UN agencies warned that famine is spreading and civilians of all ages continue to suffer shocking abuse, including rape and gang rape.
1
1
Edited News | UNMAS
In Gaza, ongoing Israeli military operations and the aid blockade have continued to add to daily fears and hardships confronting those in the devastated enclave, the UN Mine Action Service, UNMAS, said on Wednesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNDP
Dangers grow for Myanmar earthquake survivors, health system 'overwhelmed' - UNDP
In earthquake-shattered central Myanmar people are sleeping in the streets in fear of buildings collapsing, facing early monsoon rains and the risk of waterborne diseases, the UN Development Programme warned on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | ICRC , OHCHR , UNHCR
Myanmar’s military has continued to launch airstrikes and other attacks against opposition forces in the devastated country, one week since a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck and despite announcing a ceasefire, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR
UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif on Tuesday presented a report on the human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, detailing the continued violations of human rights as a result of the offensive launched by the Rwandan-backed M23 in eastern DRC.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF , IFRC
UN humanitarians and partners on Tuesday expressed deep shock at the killing of 15 colleagues on duty in southern Gaza whose remains were recovered from a shallow grave after a week-long rescue operation, noting that one worker is still missing.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF , OCHA , WHO , UNHCR
Myanmar earthquake latest: window for lifesaving support is closing, say UN humanitarians
As the death toll continues to rise in earthquake-struck Myanmar, UN humanitarians have been rushing to support severely deprived and traumatized victims, warning that the window for lifesaving response is closing.