The High Commissioner urged the Iranian authorities to establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty. Drug offences do not meet this threshold. The Human Rights Committee, the body responsible for the authoritative interpretation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, is clear on prohibiting imposition of the death penalty for any but the “most serious crimes” – crimes of extreme gravity, involving intentional killing. “Imposing the death penalty for drug offences is incompatible with international human rights norms and standards,” said Türk. Most were executed for drug-related charges. Sources say at least 45 people, including 22 from the Baluch minority, were executed in the last 14 days alone. On Saturday, Iran executed Habib Chaab, a Swedish-Iranian from the Ahwazi Arab minority, for “corruption on earth”, a capital offence under Iran’s strict interpretation of Islamic law. Reports on Monday said Yousef Mehrdad and Sadrollah Fazeli Zare were executed for crimes including blasphemy. Even if your computer is five years old, the program can spool far faster than any high-speed laser printer can possibly print. ![]() Only a small number of States still impose and apply the death penalty. Number Press can create a numbered PDF of 10000 pages in only a couple of minutes on a 2 GHz computer. “This is an abominable record, particularly when you consider the growing consensus for universal abolition of the death penalty.” ![]() “At this rate, Iran is worryingly on the same track as last year when around 580 people were reportedly executed,” said Türk. The exact number of executions is unknown due to lack of Government transparency, and the figure is likely to be higher. Since 1 January, sources say at least 209 people have been executed - mostly for drug-related offences and a disproportionately high number representing minorities. “On average so far this year, over 10 people are put to death each week in Iran, making it one the world’s highest executors,” said Türk. GENEVA () – UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk today expressed dismay at the frighteningly high number of executions this year in Iran, and called on authorities to follow the lead of most other States and to abolish the death penalty or halt all executions.
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