Iranian artists, writers abroad warn of killings, risk of executions after protests

More than 90 Iranian artists, writers and cultural figures based abroad issued an urgent statement condemning the widespread killing of protesters in Iran and warning that detainees could face execution.

In the statement, the signatories said independent sources indicated that thousands of people had been killed during the protests that began earlier this month.

“Based on information published by independent sources, thousands of people have lost their lives in these protests,” the statement said, citing reports of the use of lethal force against demonstrators and the violent suppression of peaceful rallies.

The group said thousands of people, mostly young, had been detained, adding that there were serious concerns about their treatment and legal status.

The statement said the main fear was that detainees could face charges such as terrorism, espionage or waging war against God - offenses that can carry the death penalty under Iran’s laws, especially in cases where there is no access to fair trials or transparent legal processes.

The authors said past precedent and recent warnings by judicial officials about “swift and severe” action raised the risk that heavy sentences, including executions, could be carried out quickly.

They described the killing of unarmed protesters and what they called arbitrary arrests as signs of systematic violence and serious violations of basic human rights, including the right to life and freedom of expression.

The signatories urged the international community, human rights groups, international organizations and independent media to respond urgently, warning that the lives of thousands of detainees were at serious risk.