The prisoner, Heidar Ghorbani, was secretly executed at Sanandaj Central Prison at dawn on Sunday – without prior notice to his family or his lawyer. Prison authorities then secretly buried his body, according to a statement on behalf of experts.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran executed Mr. Ghorbani secretly, on the basis of superior terms, under a flawed process and while his case is still being considered by the Supreme Court. “, speak Javaid Rehman, Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran and Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.
Fear of change
Ghorbani was arrested in October 2016 in connection with the murder of three men from the Basij paramilitary force – believed to be by individuals affiliated with an armed opposition group.
He denied membership of the group, along with any involvement in the murder.
And although the Revolutionary Courts concluded that he was unarmed, they sentenced him to death for “baghy” (armed rebellion) after an unfair trial and allege that he was tortured, OHCHR release.
“We deeply regret that, despite our repeated intervention in Mr Ghorbani’s case, the authorities have decided to proceed with his execution,” the UN experts said.
Amid continued protests and widespread dissatisfaction with the authorities, they fear that such an arbitrary execution was carried out to “sow fear”.
‘Obviously omitted’
The Special Rapporteur described the action as “another indication of a clear disregard for their obligations under international human rights law – and to international human rights mechanisms”.
“We call on the Government to stop imposing and enforcing the death penalty,” they stressed.
Previously, independent experts have raised concerns with the Iranian Government about the death penalty, allegations of torture, and violations of fair trial against Mr Ghorbani and also brought the matter to public attention.
Government sent comment to OHCHR in the reaction.
The special rapporteurs and independent experts appointed by the United Nations are based in Geneva Dong Nhan Quyen Association arrive check and report back about a particular human rights topic or a country situation. The positions are honorary and professionals are not paid for their work.
