Key facts
- At least 56 people executed in Iran on national security charges since March 19.
- Twenty-seven of these executions were linked to protests earlier this year.
- UN human rights chief Volker Türk expressed concern over a surge in executions.
- Authorities were urged to halt all executions and abolish the death penalty.
The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, stated that Iran has executed at least 56 people on national security-related charges since March 19. Of these, 27 individuals were linked to protests that occurred at the beginning of the year. Türk noted an increase in executions and death sentences since March and urged Iranian authorities to halt all executions and work towards abolishing the death penalty.