UN top boss expresses 'serious doubts' over 'mass executions' in Iran
Reuters
Tehran, IranUpdated: Aug 05, 2016, 05:00 PM IST
Zeid Ra`ad Al Hussein said the men had been executed for 'purported terrorism-related offences' and that reports suggested most if not all were from a minority group. Photograph:(AFP)
The hanging of up to 20 people in Iran this week follows serious doubts about the fairness of their trials and respect for due process, leading to a "grave injustice", the United Nations' top human rights official said today.
Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said the men had been executed for "purported terrorism-related offences" and that reports suggested most if not all were from a minority group – Sunnis from the Kurdish community.
"The application of overly broad and vague criminal charges, coupled with a disdain for the rights of the accused to due process and a fair trial have in these cases led to a grave injustice," Zeid said in a statement.
(Reuters)
Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said the men had been executed for "purported terrorism-related offences" and that reports suggested most if not all were from a minority group – Sunnis from the Kurdish community.
"The application of overly broad and vague criminal charges, coupled with a disdain for the rights of the accused to due process and a fair trial have in these cases led to a grave injustice," Zeid said in a statement.
(Reuters)