US embraces Iran as (ironic) 'peace' partner in Syria | World War 4 Report

31.10.15

US embraces Iran as (ironic) 'peace' partner in Syria | World War 4 Report: The UN has meanwhile released a report finding Iran's human rights situation (predictably) unimproved since the signing of the nuclear deal. The report, prepared by UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran Ahmed Shaheed, "welcomes" the nuclear deal, saying the lifting of economic sanctions could "potentially have a beneficial multiplier effect on the human rights situation in the country." But it also makes clear there is no sign of that yet. The report protests a lack of transparency and willingness to cooperate with UN and international human rights observers. It states that women in Iran "rank at the bottom of countries within its own income group in both economic participation and political empowerment." It particularly highlights use of the death penalty, finding that Iran could execute more than 1,000 this year. The country leads the world in executions per capita, with 753 last year. There have been 690 this year already—likely the highest figure for a nine-month period in over 25 years. (See summary at Jurist) A recent surge in executions in Iran is contributing to a global spike in use of the death penalty over the past two years.