UN human rights boss slams Iran for ‘mass executions’

GENEVA // The United Nations’ top official for human rights has criticised Iran for executing 20 people this week.

A statement Friday by Zeid Raad Al Hussein, the high commissioner for human rights, said there were “serious doubts about the fairness of the trials, respect for due process and other rights of the accused” before their executions.

On Tuesday, Iran’s judiciary announced the executions, identifying those put to death as Kurdish extremists who were convicted of armed robbery, killing civilians and planning bomb attacks.

Mr Al Hussain said reports suggested most, if not all, of those executed were Sunnis from Iran’s Kurdish minority.

Kurdish fighters have increasingly battled Iranian security forces in recent weeks in north-western Iran, leading to fatalities on both sides.

* Asscoiated Press