It is a stratagem that borders on “state murder”.

Tehran is using death penalty sentences against demonstrators to frighten the Iranian population and silence protest, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, criticized on Tuesday.

"The use of criminal proceedings as a weapon to punish people who exercise their basic rights, such as those who participate in or organize demonstrations, borders on state murder", criticizes Volker Türk in a press release.

These executions are "arbitrary deprivations of life", insisted Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the High Commission, which in principle is opposed to the death penalty, during a press briefing in Geneva.

Tehran has already executed four people accused of having taken part in the demonstrations which have shaken the country for four months and the death of a young woman accused of wearing the veil badly by the morality police.

"Respect and protection of women's rights"

Two other executions are imminent - that of Mohammad Boroughani, 19, and that of Mohammad Ghobadlou, 22 - and at least 17 others are believed to have been sentenced to death, the High Commission said in a statement.

“The Iranian government would better serve its interests and those of its people by listening to their grievances and undertaking the necessary legal and policy reforms to ensure respect for diversity of opinion, the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, and respect for and protection of women's rights in all areas of life,” insists the High Commissioner.

Tightening of the veil law

“I once again reiterate my call on the Iranian government to respect the lives and voices of its people, impose an immediate moratorium on the death penalty and end all executions,” added Volker Türk.

“Iran must take sincere steps to embark on the reforms required and demanded by its own people for the respect and protection of their human rights,” he stressed.

According to a local agency, the Iranian judicial authority wants to reapply a law providing for severe sanctions, such as exile, for people who do not respect the obligation to wear the veil.

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