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UN PhotoOHCHR / IRAN ARRESTS UNFAIR TRIALS EXECUTIONS
STORY: OHCHR / IRAN ARRESTS UNFAIR TRIALS EXECUTIONS
TRT: 01:55
SOURCE: OHCHR
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 01 APRIL 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / FILE
FILE - GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Wide shot, Palais Wilson
01 APRIL 2026, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
2. Close up, OHCHR sign, Palais Wilson
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, High Commissioner, UN Human Rights (OHCHR):
“As if the pain and suffering brought on by the war is not enough, some Iranians are being arbitrarily rounded up, jailed, prosecuted without due process, and in some cases then even executed by their own Government. The human rights of the Iranian people must be the top priority. All executions need to be halted immediately. Many of those arbitrarily arrested during the January protests and during the ongoing war are being held in shocking conditions. Eight executions have already been reported, three of which were related to the protests. Dozens of others who have been convicted – including children – face a similar fate. This is outrageous. Since the start of the war, it is estimated that 2,345 people have been arrested in Iran. They have been charged with offences related to national security, including terrorism, dissent, alleged espionage and “cooperation with the enemy. Meanwhile, Iran’s nationwide internet blackout enters its fifth week – one of the most severe countrywide shutdowns ever recorded globally. We have also received reports of pervasive interrogation and intimidation of civilians by heavily armed security forces in public spaces continue to be reported. Across the region, we are witnessing a sharp securitisation of civic space, with severe restrictions imposed by governments on people exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Waves of arrests and broad clampdowns, mostly on vaguely defined accusations, have had a deeply chilling effect on people, many of whom are already living with uncertainty, fear and anxiety.”
4. Wide shot, Palais Wilson
UN Human Rights (OHCHR) Chief Volker Türk says today (01 Apr) he is outraged by the mass arbitrary arrests, expedited proceedings that routinely lack due process and imposition of the death penalty in Iran.
“As if the pain and suffering brought on by the war is not enough, some Iranians are being arbitrarily rounded up, jailed, prosecuted without due process, and in some cases then even executed by their own Government,” the High Commissioner said.
He stated, “The human rights of the Iranian people must be the top priority. All executions need to be halted immediately.”
He added, “Many of those arbitrarily arrested during the January protests and during the ongoing war are being held in shocking conditions. Eight executions have already been reported, three of which were related to the protests. Dozens of others who have been convicted – including children – face a similar fate. This is outrageous.”
He also said, “Since the start of the war, it is estimated that 2,345 people have been arrested in Iran. They have been charged with offences related to national security, including terrorism, dissent, alleged espionage and “cooperation with the enemy”.
He said, “Meanwhile, Iran’s nationwide internet blackout enters its fifth week – one of the most severe countrywide shutdowns ever recorded globally. We have also received reports of pervasive interrogation and intimidation of civilians by heavily armed security forces in public spaces continue to be reported.”
He concluded, “Across the region, we are witnessing a sharp securitisation of civic space, with severe restrictions imposed by governments on people exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Waves of arrests and broad clampdowns, mostly on vaguely defined accusations, have had a deeply chilling effect on people, many of whom are already living with uncertainty, fear and anxiety.”
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