On January 14, 2025, a coalition of UN human rights experts expressed serious concern over the Iranian Supreme Court’s confirmation of the death sentence for Pakhshan Azizi, a Kurdish activist and social worker. This ruling has been denounced as a grave breach of international human rights law, particularly given the reported torture and denial of fair trial rights faced by Azizi. The experts branded Azizi’s death sentence as “arbitrary in nature,” highlighting the systemic targeting of Kurdish women activists in Iran.
Azizi was apprehended on August 4, 2023, and spent five harrowing months in solitary confinement, during which she allegedly endured both psychological and physical torture to extract confessions. Charged with “armed rebellion against the state” and ties to opposition groups, Azizi’s prosecution appears to stem from her commendable efforts as a social worker aiding refugees, particularly from Iraq and Syria.
The UN experts relayed their alarm at Iran’s startling increase in executions, exceeding 900 in 2024, with a noted rise in executions of women. They condemned the targeting of Kurdish women activists as politically motivated, suggesting a pattern of intimidation designed to instill fear and silence dissenting voices. They urged immediate action to revoke Azizi’s death sentence and end the persecution of women activists in Iran.
The officials emphasized the critical need for the Iranian government to investigate and address claims of torture and irregularities during her trial. Only by ending the harassment of women activists can Iran hope to foster a humane and just society.
– UN experts condemned Iran’s Supreme Court for upholding Pakhshan Azizi’s death sentence. – Azizi faced torture and was denied fair trial rights, highlighting systemic issues. – Over 900 executions in Iran were reported in 2024, especially targeting women. – Urgent calls for revocation of Azizi’s death sentence and end to persecutions persist.
The ongoing situation of Pakhshan Azizi illustrates a dire threat to human rights in Iran, particularly for Kurdish women activists. The UN’s call to revoke her death sentence and investigate violations reflects a growing concern over systemic injustices. Immediate action is crucial not only to support Azizi but to protect the rights of activists facing persecution in Iran.
Original Source: iranhumanrights.org
