In a recent public statement, UN human rights experts have condemned the death of Jamshid Sharmahd, a journalist who was arbitrarily detained in Iran under contentious circumstances. Sharmahd, a 69-year-old journalist and activist, was detained without a warrant by Iranian authorities in 2020 while in the United Arab Emirates. The UN experts described his death as appalling, highlighting the human rights violations he suffered, which included his kidnapping and denial of a fair trial. The experts’ full remarks can be read on the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights website.
The death of Sharmahd, who was of Iranian origin and a German-nationalized citizen, has drawn sharp criticism from international bodies concerned about Iran’s human rights record. The Iranian Supreme Court had earlier sentenced Sharmahd to death for “corruption on Earth,” however, reports later emerged in November 2024 that he had died before the execution could take place, with confirmation coming only recently from Iran International.
Previously, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention released an opinion declaring Sharmahd’s detention arbitrary and devoid of legal basis, due to the unlawful conditions of his abduction and transfer. As a signatory of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Iran is mandated to uphold basic human rights including the right to life, protection against arbitrary detention, and the assurance of a fair trial, as outlined here.
Iran’s human rights practices have been under international scrutiny, particularly after recent actions including the use of the death penalty against individuals for various alleged crimes. In January 2025, at the 48th Session of the Universal Periodic Review, Iran faced global criticism from several member states for its approach towards civil liberties and judicial executions. Additionally, other individuals continue to face harsh sentences, such as the condemnation of an Iranian singer for blasphemy early in 2025 as reported.
For more information, visit the original article on the JURIST website.