UN Human Rights Council passes resolution decrying surge in Iran executions

The UN Human Rights Council denounces the rising numbers of executions in Iran, including of people who received the capital punishment in connection with protests that have rocked the country.

The top United Nations rights body approves a resolution voicing “deep concern at the reported surge in the number of executions, including of individuals sentenced to death in relation to their alleged involvement in the recent protests.”

The resolution, which also extends the mandate of the UN special rapporteur on the rights situation in Iran for another year, passes with 23 of the council’s 47 members voting in favor. Another 16 abstained, and eight opposed the text, including China, Cuba, Pakistan and Vietnam.

According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) organization, at least 144 people have been executed in Iran this year.

The resolution calls on Tehran to “take all necessary legislative, administrative and other measures” to ensure no one is executed for “offenses that do not meet the threshold of the most serious crimes.”