The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, has given a damning assessment of human rights in Iran, highlighting the “alarming rate” of executions and saying little progress has been made under president Hassan Rouhani. Iran: seven key human rights challenges facing President Rouhani Read moreThe UN says the rate of executions in Iran – at least 966 people were sent to the gallows last year – remains a huge source of concern. Most of the executions are related to drug offences but trials “fall short of the international fair standards”, Ban’s report finds. Iran’s judiciary chief said last week that it was not possible to abolish the death penalty for drug offenders. Ban’s report also highlights the plight of journalist and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi, who recently had her 16-year jail sentence upheld in an appeals court.

Source: The Guardian October 04, 2016 15:09 UTC