Iran's Recent Mass Prisoner Execution 'Shameful Low Point' – Human Rights Watch

Iran’s recent execution of prisoners on terrorism charges is a "shamefull low point" in its history of human rights violations, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement on Monday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Last week, Tehran announced the execution of 20 people considered members of alleged terror group Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad. The identities of those executed have so far been withheld by the authorities, making it impossible to independently verify their allegiance to any terror group.

"Iran’s mass execution of prisoners on August 2 at Rajai Shahr prison is a shameful low point in its human rights record," Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch (HRW), said in a statement on the watchdog’s website.

Two of the prisoners did not get a fair trial and their rights during the process were violated, the HRW said, citing the executed men’s lawyers.

According to the watchdog, the 230 recorded executions since the start of this year keep Iran as the regional leader in executions, "but a laggard in implementing the so far illusory penal code reforms" to reach international standards in ensuring respect for prisoners’ rights.