New rule to cut executions by 80%: Human rights chief

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Secretary of Iran’s Human Rights Council Mohammad Javad Larijani has discussed the cases of execution and detainment in Iran.
Larijani, while declining to confirm US reports that Iran had carried out airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq, maintained that this human crisis was the consequence of the US and a number of its European allies’ ‘wrong and failed policies’.

“This policy was the result of their attempts at replacing the Assad Regime with some relentless forces (ISIL),” he added, “instead of giving support to a democratic government, they have been arming terrorist groups.”

While calling for an end to all terrorist activities and enmities, he added, “from day one the Arab uprisings started, Iran has supported the people in all Muslim countries from Egypt to Tunisia and Libya; but where military violence is fueled by the US, we do not assess the consequences desirable at all.”

In regard to the number of executions in Iran, Larijani said, “no country wishes to have a high number of executions. The fact that we have a large number of executions for drug-related charges is tragic, but we are trying to change the existing law.”

“If the Parliament passes this new law regarding drug-related crimes, then this would eliminate 80 percent of the executions in country,” he asserted.

Larijani also discussed the number of journalists detained in Iran including the detention of Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, and said, “I hope that Rezaian’s case will be presented to court as soon as possible, and he would be acquitted of all charges.”

He touched upon the issue of nuclear talks extension and said, “we are ready to be transparent on the nuclear issue. We are willing to cooperate but not to limit our capabilities and resources.”