Iran: Statement by the Spokesperson on executions

The current pace of executions in Iran is appalling. The EU has a firm and principled opposition to the use of capital punishment in all cases and in all circumstances. The death penalty is incompatible with the inalienable right to life and the absolute prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. It fails to act as deterrent to crime and makes miscarriages of justice irreversible. The EU urges Iranian authorities to pursue a consistent policy towards the abolition of the death penalty altogether.

We condemn in particular the use of capital punishment as a response to domestic dissent. Once again we call on Iranian authorities to immediately end the practice of imposing and carrying out death sentences against protesters. We also urge Iranian authorities to release all those unjustly arrested in the exercise of their freedom of expression, and to uphold Iran's obligations under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party.