ASIA/IRAN - Executions: appeal for a moratorium

Oslo (Agenzia Fides) - 648 people were executed in Iran in the first half of 2015 (from January 1 to June 18). Iran holds a very high average: every day about 4 executions are carried out. The average is much higher than in 2014, when executions were on the whole 753, and compared to 2013 (687 executions in all). Most of the victims (463 out of 648 in 2015) were sentenced to death for drug offenses. This is what is stated in a report sent to Fides by the "Iran Human Rights" organization, based in Oslo, Norway. The NGO was created by Iranian citizens who fled the country, and have found asylum but continue to have direct contacts in Iranian territory. IHR launches an appeal to the international community for a moratorium on executions in Iran, also on the occasion of a European visit of Iranian President Hassan Rohani.
"A surge in executions began after May 22, when a peaceful demonstration was held in the prison yard of Ghezel Hesar, in the west of Tehran: A group of death row inmates displayed handwritten banners asking for pardon. The next day the 22 prisoners were transferred to isolation and executed the following day", notes IHR. The organization said that often trials are carried out in a fast manner and the condemned are not entitled to a full defense. IHR has received numerous reports of unfair trials and forced confessions. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/11/2015)

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death penalty

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human rights

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