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UPDATE: 4:30 PM CEST
U.S. Concerned Over Sharp Rise in Executions in Iran, Condemns Lack of Fair Trials
In a press briefing on September 3, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller expressed serious concerns about the sharp increase in executions in Iran. According to UN experts, the number of executions in Iran doubled in August compared to July.
“We do remain concerned about the number of executions in Iran and, most importantly, how those executions are carried out,” Miller stated. He emphasized that the judicial processes leading to these executions are fundamentally flawed. “That’s the end of a judicial process that can in no way be described as providing fair trials. It can in no way be described as independent,” he added.
Miller also highlighted that these executions are just one example of the broader human rights violations committed by the Iranian regime. He reiterated the U.S. commitment to enforcing sanctions against Iran to hold the country accountable for its actions, saying, “It’s one of a number of violations of human rights that we see Iran continue to take, and it’s why we continue to enforce our sanctions to hold Iran accountable for those actions.”
Dual U.S. and Iranian Citizen Arrested for Unlawfully Exporting U.S. Technology to Iran
Gholam Reza Goodarzi, also known as Ron Goodarzi, 76, a dual U.S. and Iranian citizen who resides in Porter, Texas, made his initial appearance today in the Southern District of Texas following his arrest at the George Bush International Airport on Aug. 30. Goodarzi is charged by criminal complaint with smuggling parts and components used in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as other manned aircraft, from the United States to Iran.
“For years, the defendant allegedly used proxy destinations to try to smuggle UAV components and other controlled technology to Iran, even concealing controlled items in his own luggage,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department and our law enforcement partners are committed to vigorously enforcing export controls to protect U.S. national security.”
UPDATE: 7:00 AM CEST
Political Prisoners Defy Wave of Executions by Iran’s Regime
Iranian prisons have become epicenters of severe human rights abuses as political prisoners continue to face inhumane treatment, including denial of medical care and harsh physical conditions. Reports from Sheiban Ahvaz, Evin, Ghezel Hesar, and Khoy prisons reveal that many detainees are being systematically deprived of necessary medical services, exacerbating their already dire health conditions. This latest wave of abuse comes amid a significant uptick in the Iranian regime’s execution record, prompting renewed international condemnation and calls for urgent action.
Political prisoners in Iran are subjected to extreme conditions that violate basic human rights. Torture through medical neglect is a common practice used to punish and pressure these individuals.
The Iranian Regime’s “Government of Unity” Is Coming Apart at The Seams
The new president of the Iranian regime, Massoud Pezeshkian, and his associates have been chanting the mantra of “national unity” and in every meeting, they talk about a government of national unity, which refers to factional partnerships and quotas. The new president of the regime claims that he has included all viewpoints in the government. In practice, the introduced cabinet is a mixture of ministers from previous governments and elements from different factions of the regime. Pezeshkian himself constantly emphasizes the “Seventh Development Plan” and states that he has no other program except this one, which was drafted by the now-deceased regime president Ebrahim Raisi, and approved by the regime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Nevertheless, after this cabinet was approved in the Majlis (parliament), what everyone has witnessed in these few days is not unity, but rather a fragmented government on the brink of various crises. Unity is out of the question; no faction is satisfied with its share, and each wants more. A notable example is the warnings and admonitions in recent Friday sermons directed at Pezeshkian.
Iran Faces Growing Malnutrition Crisis: FAO Report Highlights Food Insecurity
A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has revealed a troubling statistic: more than six percent of Iran’s population is grappling with malnutrition. The report, titled The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, ranks Iran 90th out of 167 countries in terms of food security. This position indicates that the situation in at least 89 countries is better than in Iran, while 77 countries face worse conditions.
The report also sheds light on the global food security landscape, identifying Madagascar as the country with the highest rate of malnutrition, where over 51% of the population suffers from food insecurity. In stark contrast, nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Austria, China, France, Germany, and the United States report malnutrition rates of less than 2.5%.
Surge in Iranian Executions Alarms UN Experts
UN human rights experts have expressed grave concern over a sharp increase in executions in Iran, with the total for 2024 surpassing 400 by August. This figure includes 15 women, marking a significant escalation in the use of capital punishment. August 2024 saw a dramatic spike, with at least 81 executions carried out – a substantial increase from the 45 reported in July. This surge has pushed Iran further into the spotlight as one of the world’s leading executioners, second only to China according to human rights organizations like Amnesty International.
Key points of concern:
- Drug-related executions: 41 of the 81 August executions were for drug offenses, violating international standards. Since 2021, there has been a marked increase in such executions, with over 400 carried out in 2023 alone.
- Due process violations: Reports suggest that death penalty trials in Iran often fail to meet international standards of due process and fair trial guarantees.
Maryam Mehrabi in Dire Health after 28 Days of Hunger Strike
Maryam Mehrabi, a teacher imprisoned in Isfahan’s Dolatabad Prison, has been on a hunger strike since August 5, in protest against her prison sentence. After 28 days without food, her physical condition has become alarming, raising serious concerns among her family.
Maryam Mehrabi was arrested by security forces in Isfahan on June 18, 2024. In mid-August, she was sentenced by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and an additional five years for “inciting people to riot and violence with the intent to disrupt national security.” Moreover, she was sentenced to two years of service suspension and a two-year travel ban. Her lawyer has appealed the verdict.
Over 400 Executions in 2024: UN Demands Iran Stop Death Penalty
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has announced that UN experts have called for an immediate halt to the implementation of the death penalty in Iran. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva reported on Monday, September 2, 2024, that UN experts expressed concern about the increase in executions in August 2024 and urged the Iranian government to stop carrying out death sentences immediately.
based on information received by the experts., At least 81 individuals were executed in August, twice as many as the 45 executions reported in July, The reported number of executions this year has risen to above 400 individuals, among them 15 women.
MEK Supporters Gathering in Stockholm to Mark the Anniversary of the People’s Mojahedin Organization’s Founding
Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) gathered in Stockholm, Sweden on August 31, 2024, to commemorate the beginning of the 60th year since the MEK‘s establishment.
MEK Supporters Gathering in London to Mark the Anniversary of the People’s Mojahedin Organization’s Founding
Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) gathered in London, England on September 1, 2024, to commemorate the beginning of the 60th year since the MEK‘s establishment.
MEK Supporters Rally in Vancouver to Mark the Anniversary of the People’s Mojahedin Organization’s Founding
Freedom-loving Iranians and supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) gathered in Vancouver, Canada on August 31, 2024, to commemorate the beginning of the 60th year since the MEK‘s establishment.