UN reiterates opposition to death penalty as reporters ask about alleged executions in Iran
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Summary
When asked about reported mass executions and threats to protesters in Iran, UN spokesperson Steph said the UN opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, noted past UN commentary about execution numbers in Iran and said she did not have a verified figure to share.
A reporter asked the UN whether officials in Iran were threatening arrested protesters with execution after reports of large numbers of deaths in demonstrations. UN spokesperson Steph answered that the UN ‘‘stands firmly against the use of the death penalty in all circumstances’’ and that the organization has previously spoken out about high numbers of executions in Iran.
Steph said she did not have a UN‑verified casualty or execution total to provide and noted that published figures she had seen varied widely, ‘‘from 2,000 to 12,000.’’ She said the UN would follow up and provide clarified figures if and when they can be confirmed.