Criticism Pours In from the International Community
"Iran Authorities' Restraint Reaches Its Limit"
[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] The Iranian authorities have carried out the first execution of protesters involved in the hijab suspicious death case, drawing widespread condemnation from the international community.
On the 8th (local time), the European External Action Service (EEAS), the EU's diplomatic body, issued a statement condemning the act, urging, "The Iranian authorities must halt death sentences and further executions, and pursue a consistent policy toward the complete abolition of the death penalty."
It continued, appealing that "Iran, as a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), must strictly adhere to its obligations," emphasizing that "fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, must be respected under all circumstances."
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the execution on Twitter, calling it an "unreliable summary trial" and stating, "The Iranian regime's disregard for human rights is endless." A spokesperson for the French Foreign Ministry described the execution as "a grave and unacceptable act," strongly criticizing the Iranian government.
Human rights organizations have also joined the criticism. Amnesty International stated in a press release, "The execution carried out less than a month after the guilty verdict exposes the inhumanity of the Iranian judicial system."
Mehmoood Amiri Moghadam, head of Iran Human Rights (IHR), a Norway-based human rights organization, criticized the unfairness of the execution, saying, "Shekari did not receive assistance from a lawyer," and urged, "The international community must take stronger measures regarding his execution."
There are also forecasts that the Iranian authorities' crackdown on protesters will intensify following this execution. Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs in the UK, commented, "This execution sends a very direct message from Iranian leaders," and assessed that "the restraint shown by Iranian authorities has reached its endpoint with this execution."
The Iranian judiciary executed Mohsen Shekari, who was sentenced to death for participating in anti-government protests. The judiciary sentenced Shekari to death for occupying roads in Tehran on September 25 and injuring security forces with a weapon.
The Iranian court handed down its first death sentence related to anti-government protesters on the 13th of last month, and human rights organizations believe that executions of about ten anti-government protesters are imminent.
Protests sparked by the Amini incident, where a woman was arrested for improperly wearing a hijab and died suspiciously in police custody, have continued for nearly three months across Iran.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) in Iran, as of the 2nd, 469 protest participants, including 64 minors, have lost their lives due to the Iranian authorities' harsh crackdown, and over 18,000 people have been detained.
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