32 Nations Slam Iran’s Execution Spree as Tehran Fires Back
A coalition of 32 countries, including 29 European nations plus Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, has issued a rare joint condemnation of Iran’s use of the death penalty against anti-government protesters, while Tehran dismissed the move as hypocritical [218651][218111].
The unified statement, backed by the European Union, calls out Iran for violating basic human rights following a sharp spike in executions linked to nationwide demonstrations [218651][218111]. Amnesty International reports that death sentences have risen dramatically since the winter protests, often based on “extremely thin accusations” [216467]. Among the cases drawing global outrage is the execution of 23-year-old Marziyeh Niyeri, convicted of killing a man she said was attacking her sexually—bringing the total number of women hanged in Iran this year to 14 [216885].
Rights groups say most of these women were convicted in cases involving domestic violence, forced marriage, or sexual assault, and criticize Iran’s retributive justice system, known as “qisas,” which allows victims’ families to demand the death penalty [216885]. The signatories called on Tehran to halt such measures and respect international law, though the statement did not specify further actions [218651]. In response, Tehran accused the Western-led bloc of ignoring its own human rights record [218111].