UN: At Least 21 People Executed in Iran Since Start of War

Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed grave concern over the human rights situation in Iran on April 29, announcing that since the start of the war between the U.S., Israel, and the Islamic Republic, at least 21 people have been executed and more than 4,000 others have been detained on security-related charges.

He stated that “alongside the severe consequences of war, the rights of the Iranian people continue to be stripped away,” emphasizing that even under wartime conditions, fundamental human rights principles must be fully respected.

According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), those executed include protesters, individuals allegedly affiliated with opposition groups, and those accused of espionage.

The High Commissioner urged Islamic Republic authorities to halt the implementation of death sentences, move toward a moratorium on the death penalty, guarantee fair trials, and immediately release those arbitrarily detained.

He also warned that the widespread use of security charges has placed many individuals, including children, at risk. Reports of torture, forced confessions, and denial of access to legal counsel have raised serious concerns regarding the judicial process.

According to the report, detainees are facing harsh conditions, including prison overcrowding, a lack of basic facilities, and limited access to medical care. Furthermore, the physical health of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi is reported to be deteriorating, and several other prisoners have died in custody under suspicious circumstances.

Authorities in the Islamic Republic have also enforced one of the world’s longest internet shutdowns, which has now lasted for 61 days, severely restricting citizens’ access to information.

Regarding this, Türk stated that the move has “cut off people’s access to vital information, silenced independent voices, and caused widespread social and economic damage,” adding that these restrictions must be lifted immediately.