UN rights chief warns of escalating crackdown in Iran amid conflict

(UN News) The UN’s top human rights official warned on Wednesday that Iranians’ rights are being eroded in “harsh and brutal ways,” citing a surge in executions, mass arrests and alleged abuses amid a widening crackdown on dissent during the ongoing conflict. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said he was “appalled that – on top of the already severe impacts of the conflict – the rights of the Iranian people continue to be stripped from them.”. At least 21 people have been executed and more than 4,000 arrested on national security-related charges since late February, according to human rights office, OHCHR. Those executed include individuals linked to protests, alleged opposition group members and people accused of espionage. Mr. Türk stressed that even during wartime, fundamental protections must be upheld. “In times of war, threats to human rights increase exponentially,” he said, adding that core rights such as protection against arbitrary detention and the right to a fair trial “must be respected absolutely, at all times.” – UN rights chief warns of escalating crackdown in Iran amid conflict | UN News