VOICE OF IRAN strongly condemns several recent executions in Iran. Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashemi and Saeed Yaqoubi were executed in Isfahan, judiciary news outlet Mizan News said on Friday. men were “fast-tracked through Iran’s judicial system” without due process being observed. These executions are meant to prolong the Islamic Republic’s rule and only a high political cost can stop more protester executions. Unless the Iranian authorities are met with serious consequences by the international community, hundreds of protesters’ lives will be taken by their killing machine. Iran executed at least 582 people last year, a 75% increase on the previous year, according to human rights groups who say the rise reflects an effort by Tehran to “instill fear” among anti-regime protesters. It is deeply worrying that despite repeated appeals, human rights have not been able to stop the Islamic Republic government from committing these crimes. The UN experts recalled that under international law, the death penalty can only be imposed and enforced for offenses that meet the threshold of “most serious crimes” and following a legal process that establishes all possible safeguards to ensure a fair trial. Exercising one’s rights to freedoms of thought, expression and assembly can never be classified as such.

“In Iran, authorities use the death penalty and execution as a tool of political repression against protesters, dissidents, and minorities. We urge Human Rights council and other international authorities to impose costs and consequences and enforce maximum pressure on the Islamic Republic authorities. This includes maximum sanctions by EU and USA, as well as putting IRGC in the terrorist list of the European Union.