DUBAI: The United Nations human rights office on Friday condemned an alleged spree of 28 executions in Iran, including several prisoners from minority groups, and called on Tehran to halt the hanging of an ethnic Baluchi man.
Iran has often faced criticism from world bodies and Western human rights group for its rights record and high number of executions — the world’s highest after China, according to Amnesty International. Tehran has dismissed the criticism as baseless and due to a lack of understanding of its laws.
“#Iran: We strongly condemn the series of executions – at least 28 – since mid-December, including of people from minority groups,” the UN human rights office said on Twitter.
“We urge the authorities to halt the imminent execution of Javid Dehghan, to review his and other death penalty cases in line with human rights law,” it added.
There was no immediate official Iranian reaction to the UN statement on Friday, the weekend in the country.
Dehghan was sentenced to death after being convicted “following a grossly unfair trial” of belonging to an armed group and involvement in an ambush that killed two Revolutionary Guards, Amnesty International said.
“The court relied on torture-tainted ‘confessions’ and ignored the serious due process abuses committed by Revolutionary Guards agents and prosecution authorities during the investigation process,” Amnesty said.
Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province borders on Afghanistan, the world’s biggest producer of opium, and Pakistan. The area has long been plagued by unrest from drug smuggling gangs and separatist militants. The population of the province is mostly Sunni Muslim, while the majority of Iranians are Shi’ites.
On Thursday, state media said an Iranian member of Daesh was executed in southwestern Khuzestan province, home to many of Iran’s ethnic Arabs, for taking part in an attack that killed two paramilitary Basij militiamen.
UN condemns Iran execution spree, worried about minorities
https://arab.news/4h2h3
UN condemns Iran execution spree, worried about minorities
- Iran has often faced criticism for its rights record and high number of executions
- “Iran: We strongly condemn the series of executions,” the UN human rights office said
Ramallah talks focus on border crossings
- The meeting discussed ways to upgrade infrastructure and facilities at the Karama crossing, particularly arrival halls and cargo and transport areas, automate procedures and services, strengthen staff capacities, and combat smuggling
RAMALLAH: Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa chaired a meeting at his office in Ramallah on Saturday to review developments at border crossings, including the Karama crossing in the West Bank and the Rafah crossing in the Gaza Strip, as well as ways to develop and upgrade the crossings.
The meeting focused on improving the management and governance system for Palestinian crossings to clearly define the roles, responsibilities, and tasks of the parties involved, thereby contributing to the national economy, commercial activity, and travel services.
Mustafa reiterated that the crossings issue is a priority at all levels, as it directly affects citizens.
He stressed the need to intensify engagement with all parties to extend operating hours for passenger and cargo movement, and to develop travel and cargo transport mechanisms.
The meeting also discussed ways to upgrade infrastructure and facilities at the Karama crossing, particularly arrival halls and cargo and transport areas, automate procedures and services, strengthen staff capacities, and combat smuggling.
These measures aim to improve services for citizens, facilitate travel procedures, and enhance readiness to address congestion and travel crises, especially during the Umrah and Hajj seasons and holidays.
Meanwhile, according to local sources, Israeli forces forced Kamal Saeed Shawaneh, a Palestinian owner of a marble factory from the town of Kafr Thulth, south of Qalqilya, to carry out the demolition of his industrial facility located east of the town, on Saturday.
The facility, built on an area of roughly 300 square meters, suffered material losses estimated at more than $26,000. Israeli authorities claimed that Shawaneh did not have a permit for the factory’s construction.
The sources added that Israeli forces threatened Shawahneh with heavy fines if he did not carry out the demolition, noting that he had previously received a stop-work order for the factory in 2018.
