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More than 30 countries, including France, Britain, and Canada, condemned Iran’s use of capital punishment against protesters in a joint statement. The statement highlighted concern over ongoing executions to “silence dissent” and called for an immediate end to the death penalty and the release of arbitrarily detained individuals.
The joint statement reflects increasing international concern regarding Iran’s escalating use of capital punishment, particularly in light of recent anti-government protests. Iran’s foreign minister has dismissed the criticism, emphasising accusations of hypocrisy from Western nations.
More than 30 countries, including France, Britain, and Canada, have issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s use of capital punishment to suppress dissent, urging the Islamic republic to “immediately end the use of the death penalty.” In response, Iran’s foreign minister dismissed the criticism, labelling it as hypocritical, and emphasised that the alleged atrocities in Gaza undermine any moral authority of these nations.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how many protesters have been executed by Iran in recent months.
Tehran asserts Strait of Hormuz is under Iran’s control amid US threats
More than 30 countries, including France, Britain and Canada, have condemned Iran’s use of capital punishment, saying in a joint statement that the Islamic republic is executing protesters to “silence dissent.”
The countries, joined by the European Union’s top diplomat, said they “condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing executions of protesters and use of the death penalty” by Iran.
“The use of capital punishment to silence dissent, intimidate communities, and punish individuals exercising their human rights can never be justified,” the statement said. “The people of Iran must be free to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear.”
Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, Germany and numerous other European nations were among those calling for Iran “to immediately end the use of the death penalty and release all those arbitrarily detained.”
Iran’s foreign minister brushed off the criticism, saying, “Countries like France should stop lecturing the world about ‘human rights’ and international law. The hypocrisy is blatant and embarrassing.
“Your backing of Israel’s genocide in Gaza — and aggression against Iran — has destroyed whatever moral high ground you imagined you had,” Abbas Araghchi posted on X.
The joint statement speaks to growing alarm from the United Nations and rights groups over a surge in executions in recent months, after Iran was rocked by nationwide anti-government protests earlier in the year and the start of the Middle East war in February.
AFP