47 European countries condemn human rights violations in Iran
Published by Ali on September 26, 2020
International Liberty Association: The 47 countries present at United Nations Human Rights Council meeting, September 2020, condemned the sudden execution of the young Iranian wrestler, Navid Afkari, also demanding the release of Nasrin Sotoudeh and Narges Mohammadi and an end to the repeated violations of human rights in Iran.
In a joint statement, read by the German representative to the UN Human Rights Council, the member nations expressed concern over repeated human rights violations in Iran, including “arbitrary detentions, unfair trials,” forced confessions, and acts of torture against detainees arrested in recent protests in Iran.
The statement said that these countries remain deeply concerned about the continuing violations of human rights in Iran, especially with regard to the right to freedom of expression.
The signatory states also claimed juveniles’ execution in Iran as another example of human rights violations, citing the case of a young prisoner, Barzan Nasrollahzadeh, who was sentenced to death for “moharebeh,” or armed rebellion against God.
The statement also mentiones the sudden execution of Navid Afkari, Iranian wrestling national champion, who was allegedly forced under torture to admit to killing a security guard during August 2018’s anti-regime protests.
The Human Rights Council members also called for the immediate release of prisoners of conscience and political prisoners, including international award-winning human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and Narges Mohammadi.
Iran’s judiciary sentenced Nasrin Sotoudeh and Narges Mohammadi to twelve and sixteen years jail, respectively.
In recent days, the health of Sotoudeh, who has been on a hunger strike for at least six weeks, has prompted a series of concerns among human rights organizations across the globe, and she was sent to hospital.
Human Rights Watch described Sotoudeh’s denial of access to vital health care as “double cruelty” and criticized returning her to prison.
ILA: On 23 September, in a coordinated move, Britain, France, and Germany summoned Iranian ambassadors to London, Paris, and Berlin to protest Iran’s detaining of its own citizens and mistreating prisoners.
