UN experts on Monday called on Iran to cancel death penalties imposed on 10 young men in a single hearing over their alleged role in anti-government protests that rocked the country in January.

The men, in their late teens and early 20s, were sentenced to death in a closed-door hearing alongside two other young men, who were executed July 19.

“Sentencing 12 people to death in one hearing, in a closed courtroom and without clarity as to each defendant’s individual responsibility violates established fair trial standards,” the experts said.

The 13 experts are special rapporteurs of the United Nations and members of working groups on forced disappearances and arbitrary detention. They do not speak on behalf of the world body.

The anti-government protests, which began as demonstrations against the high cost of living before sweeping the country, were met with brutal suppression by Iranian authorities. Opposition groups said tens of thousands were killed in the crackdown that included live fire at crowds.

Iranian authorities have attempted to portray the mass protests as instigated by the United States and Israel, blaming the violence on “terrorist acts”........

© The Times of Israel