Independent UN experts call for end to persecution of women activists in Iran. Iran: UN experts concerned by decision to uphold death sentence of Kurdish activist International Law
A group of independent human rights experts today expressed grave concern over the decision by Iran’s Supreme Court to uphold the death sentence of Kurdish activist Pakhshan Azizi.
“The charges against Ms. Pakhshan Azizi do not meet the ‘most serious crimes’ threshold required under international law for the death penalty to be applied,” the experts said.
“The death sentence imposed on her constitutes a serious violation of international human rights law,” they added.
Pakhshan Azizi was arrested in Tehran on August 4, 2023, and held in solitary confinement in Evin Prison for five months. In July 2024, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to death for “armed rebellion against the state” and “membership in opposition groups,” and to four years in prison for alleged membership in the Kurdistan Free Life Party. On January 8, 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence.
“Ms. Azizi’s arrest and sentencing appear to be solely related to her legitimate work in the social sector, including supporting refugees in Iraq and Syria,” the experts said.
“We are deeply concerned about the prosecution of Kurdish women activists on politically motivated charges,” they said, adding that Azizi’s case reflects a general trend of persecution of minorities in Iran.
Read also:
UN human rights chief alarmed by rise in executions in Iran
The activists are also concerned by reports that the activist has been subjected to severe psychological and physical torture in solitary confinement to extract a confession, and has been denied family visits and the opportunity to hire a lawyer of her choice.
The experts noted that several members of Azizi’s family have also been temporarily detained and charged with violating national security, allegedly to force a confession.
“The use of torture to extract confessions and the denial of the right to a fair trial make Ms. Azizi’s death sentence inherently arbitrary,” the rights groups said.
They noted that the number of executions in Iran exceeded 900 in 2024, with an increase in the number of executions of women. The rights groups urged the Iranian authorities to immediately quash Azizi’s death sentence, investigate allegations of torture and denial of the right to a fair trial, and end the persecution of women activists in Iran.