republic was executing protesters to ‘silence dissent’. The countries, joined by the EU's top diplomat, condemned in the strongest terms the ongoing executions and the use of the death penalty. They said such punishment to silence dissent, intimidate communities, and punish those exercising human rights can never be justified, insisting Iranians should be free to exercise freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear. The declaration grew from an initial 26 countries plus EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas to 32 signatories, according to the French foreign ministry. Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Italy, Germany and other European nations joined those calling on Iran to immediately end the death penalty and release all those arbitrarily detained.

The statement adds to growing alarm from the UN and rights groups over a surge in executions, following nationwide anti-government protests and the start of the Middle East war in February. UN rights chief Volker Turk said Tehran was using the death penalty to instill fear. Since March 19, at least 56 people have been executed on national-security-related charges, including 27 linked to the protests; more than 100 others are at risk. The UN warned of a lack of fair trials and forced confessions. The protest movement, sparked by the high cost of living, exploded into widespread demonstrations. Iranian authorities reported over 3,000 deaths, blaming ‘terrorist acts’ orchestrated by the US and Israel, while rights groups abroad recorded a far higher toll and said security forces fired on demonstrators. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned the regime for continuing to shed blood seven months after the ‘mass atrocities’. A joint US-Israel attack on February 28 triggered the war, after which arrests and executions multiplied. Amnesty International reported Iran executed over 2,150 people last year, making it the world's most prolific executioner after China. (Bssnews)