UN experts call on Iran to revoke Bakhshan Azizi's death sentence

The experts emphasized that the charges against Azizi do not meet the threshold of the "most serious crimes" under international law governing the death penalty.

On July 23, 2024, the Revolutionary Court in Tehran sentenced her to death on charges of "armed rebellion against the state (baghi)" and "membership in opposition groups," alongside a four-year prison sentence for allegedly belonging to the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK). The Supreme Court upheld the death sentence last week.

In a statement issued yesterday, Tuesday, the experts noted that Azizi's arrest and sentencing appear solely linked to her legitimate work as a social worker, including her support for refugees in Iraq and Syria.

They expressed concern over reports that she was subjected to severe psychological and physical torture in solitary confinement to extract a confession. She was also denied visits from her family and access to legal representation of her choice. The experts pointed out that several of her family members were temporarily detained and faced national security-related charges, "seemingly to pressure her into confessing."

They stated: "The use of torture to extract confessions and the denial of her fair trial rights render the death sentence against Bakhshan Azizi inherently arbitrary."

The experts stressed the need for Iran to halt executions that disregard international legal standards and violate fundamental rights and freedoms. They voiced alarm over the number of executions in Iran surpassing 900 in 2024, with an increase in executions targeting women.

They added: "We are deeply concerned by the targeted persecution of Kurdish women activists on politically motivated charges. The trial of Bakhshan Azizi reflects the escalating oppression faced by minority activists in Iran and the ongoing efforts to punish and silence them by creating an environment of fear."

The experts urged Iranian authorities to immediately revoke the death sentence against Bakhshan Azizi, investigate allegations of torture and the denial of her fair trial rights, and end the harassment and targeting of activists in Iran. They confirmed they are in contact with the Iranian government regarding this matter.

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ANHA