Experts feel that all executions in Iran are against human rights. That’s the reason the UN, in the past few months, urged the country to revise its laws with the aim of putting an end to the imposition of the death penalty. It’s seen as a severe violation of international law. Would you wish to learn more about the subject? Keep reading this article. You can also learn more at maryam-rajavi.com.
Vague Cases
Today, there’re many vague cases and unclear grounds for imposing capital punishment in Iran. That only makes it seem more like a political tool. This is according to the UN’s Special Reporter, Javaid Rehman. He was talking about the current situation of human rights in the said country. Additionally, the system has so many deep structural flaws, especially in the justice sector. As such, it doesn’t match what a nation can use to protect its citizens. Instead, it seems to be a tool that politicians take advantage of. At the time, it’s almost impossible to say that Iran has a justice system. Iran’s Islamic Penal Code of 2013, for instance, provides the death penalty for a range of offences; one of them being the violation of international human rights law.
Vague Criminal Charges
During the UN fourth annual report, it was noted that there had been at least three vague criminal charges in Iran, and all of them had the death penalty. A keener look further indicates that such vague charges are used by individuals looking to target their political opponents and political protestors. Rehman also mentioned that even children were sentenced to death. For many years, Iran has remained the only country that embraces such a disturbing practice, despite being beseeched by other nations to stop. The death penalty has long been banned under international law. Thankfully, the Iranian government has portrayed a genuine interest in reforming its law as a way of abolishing the death penalty. The only problem, however, is that it’s not clear when things will take a different direction.
Unfair Charges
Aside from the vague charges, there have also been cases of unfair charges. This would involve sentencing someone to the death penalty, even if they did nothing wrong. The charge against Rhollah Zam, for instance, had a close relationship with international security. This is a tool that the Iranian government can use to silence individuals willing to speak out against the violation of people's basic rights. It has also been used against protestors who are willing to speak out about politicians’ inability to govern the country properly. The problem is that many protestors and activists have lost their lives due to the death penalty.
Can the Government Reform?
Rehman is certain that the Iranian death penalty can be gotten rid of. However, to achieve that, the authorities must come and work together. That’s the only best way to get rid of the inhumane penalty and stop the violation of international law. Aside from the death penalty, other issues related to people’s rights were tabled at the fourth annual report. They include continuation of discrimination against ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities, repression of civic space, bad conditions of prisons and other correctional facilities, and the impact of sanctions. It’s reported that a dialogue will be carried out to ensure that Iran becomes a friendly home for everyone despite their ethnic, sexual, or religious differences. But from the efforts that the government has made through the years, the situation can still be saved.