Iran executed at least 280 people last year, the UN Human Rights Council has been told.
Figures published on Thursday by Javaid Rehman, an independent expert and UN special rapporteur on Iran, shows that the number of executions of women, minority groups and executions linked to charges related to narcotics laws had risen.
“In 2021, at least 280 individuals, including at least 10 women, were executed,” said Rehman, while presenting his report to the council.
He said three “child offenders” —a term for a person convicted of a crime committed when they were aged under 18 — were executed in Iran in 2021.
The number of women being executed had also risen, according to the report. It said more than 80 executions, including of one woman and at least four Afghans, were for drug offences, compared with 25 in 2020.
Rehman said there was an increase in executions of people from minority communities last year, with more than 40 Baluch and more than 50 Kurds put to death.
He also condemned “lethal and excessive force” against peaceful gatherings over access to water.
And he condemned the practice of “attempting to silence those who call for accountability".
“There are many cases of harassment and threats against families of victims and others calling for justice,” he said. “In some cases, individuals are subjected to criminal prosecution simply for having called for justice.”
