Mai Sato, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, has warned in her latest report about the lack of transparency in Iran’s reporting of executions. She stated that the country’s high number of executions is accompanied by an extremely low level of transparency, with official sources disclosing only 8% of executions, while the real figures are much higher.

Sato added in her report that 12 individuals have so far been executed on charges of espionage, with 10 of those executions taking place after the 12-day war with Israel. She also emphasized that targeted executions of Kurds, Ahwazi Arabs, and Baluchis form part of a pattern of systematic repression in Iran.

The UN Special Rapporteur further highlighted the increasing pressure on activists and journalists, noting:

“The monitoring, harassment, and persecution of activists and journalists—both within the country and through transnational repression abroad—have significantly intensified following the recent military attacks.”

Sato also expressed concern over the harassment and intimidation of families of the victims of the downed Ukrainian flight PS752, stressing that no justice or meaningful support has been provided to these families.

In another section of her report, she addressed the issue of arbitrary detentions, stating:

“Almost all cases of arbitrary arrest in Iran are accompanied by torture and forced confessions, and cruel punishments are carried out with complete impunity.”

The report, presented at the recent session of the UN Human Rights Council, underscores the urgent need for increased international monitoring of Iran’s human rights situation. Sato called on the international community to take immediate and effective action to halt the ongoing wave of executions and human rights violations in the country.