World - Asia
Updated: January 10, 2023

UN Calls Out Iran Over Protesters' Execution

By Quadri Adejumo
January 10, 2023
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The United Nations has called out Iran on its series of executions of protesters.

The U.N. human rights chief, Volker Türk said the death penalty was being weaponized by Iran's government to strike fear into the population.

In a statement, he said; "The weaponization of criminal procedures to punish people for exercising their basic rights – such as those participating in or organizing demonstrations – amounts to state-sanctioned killing."

Türk added that the executions violated international human rights law.

Iran has executed around four, and up to 100 face charges for capital crimes amid the ongoing protests.

The protests began as a result of the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who died in the custody of the Police following her arrest for breach of women's dressing.