I received a rather curious email communication from an organization called: “Impact Iran” the other day who wanted me to publish some information regarding Iranian executions.
Impact Iran is a coalition of organizations committed to human rights reforms in Iran and encouraging Iran to cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms.
After verifying the number of executions via the March 2014 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, presented to the 25th Session of the Human Rights Council – I agreed to go ahead with the release.
It reads as follows:
“Since the beginning of 2014 alone, Iran has executed at least 176 people, including political prisoners.
We are Impact Iran, a new coalition of human rights organizations and individuals dedicated to drawing the attention to human rights in Iran in an effort to engage the Iranian government. The coalition, through public advocacy campaigns aimed at UN member states and high-level human rights discussions, strives to spark action by stakeholders and promote the dignity of all Iranians. Learn more at www.ImpactIran.org and please follow Impact Iran on Twitter at @ImpactIran and on Facebook.
This week we are at the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva to encourage member states to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed. Impact Iran would like to draw your attention to Dr. Shaheed’s official report to the UN this week.
Dr. Shaheed’s report reveals that executions continue at alarming rates, with at least 1,687 taking place since the establishment in 2013. He assert the Islamic Republic holds at least 895 political prisons being bars.
Dr. Shaheed’s address to the Human Rights Council will be streamed live at shaheedoniran.org between 12 pm and 3 pm CET on Monday, March 17. Check our Twitter feed for updates and please tune in and watch.
Additionally, 26 human rights and civil society organizations have come together to urge action on the situation of human rights in Iran. Together, the group wrote to the United Nations Human Rights Council members states urging them to renew the mandate of Dr. Ahmed Shaheed and to address the ongoing human rights concerns at the 25th session of the UN Human Rights Council.”
Thank you.