UN report highlights political repression in Iran ahead of elections

Europe Balkan Latest News, March 13, 2017 – Reformists are under pressure, activists and artists are being jailed, and people are being executed at an “alarming” rate in the tightly controlled country, according to a UN monitor studying human rights in Iran.
“All reports indicate a high level of control over citizens and that democratic space is severely limited,” Asma Jahangir, the UN Special Rapporteur for Iran, told the UN Human Rights Council.
In November, parliament introduced restrictions for political parties, requiring them to be vetted for their cultural and political views.
In December, a revolutionary court started trying seven former reformist politicians for allegedly trying to undermine national security.
Jahangir also noted that several reporters and human rights defenders were detained in the second half of last year, including activists who fight capital punishment.
At least 530 people were executed last year, and 156 so far this year, Jahangir said. Five underage convicts were hanged in 2016 and two since January.
Most of the capital punishments in Iran are for drug crimes.