World powers unite to condemn Iran’s execution of protesters

Authorities from 32 countries, together with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, have issued a joint statement strongly condemning Iran’s use of the death penalty, particularly against protesters.

The statement was published on the website of Germany’s Federal Foreign Office.

“Canada, Albania, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the High Representative of the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing executions of protesters and use of the death penalty by the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the statement said.

“The use of capital punishment to silence dissent, intimidate communities, and punish individuals exercising their human rights can never be justified. The people of Iran must be free to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear,” it added.

The signatories called on Tehran to immediately halt executions and release all individuals who have been arbitrarily detained.

“We call on Iran to immediately end the use of the death penalty and release all those arbitrarily detained,” the statement said.

The countries and the EU representative also urged the Iranian authorities to respond to public demands for change and take concrete measures to strengthen respect for human rights.

“We further call on Iran to listen to the voice of its people as they demand change, and to take meaningful steps toward ensuring respect for human rights,” the statement concluded.

By Vafa Guliyeva