A/HRC/22/56 E. Executions 31. The Special Rapporteur continues to be alarmed by the escalating rate of executions (see table 3 below), especially in the absence of fair trial standards, and the application of capital punishment for offences that do not meet the standards of “most serious crimes” according to international law (such as alcohol consumption, adultery and drug-trafficking). It was reported that some 297 executions were officially announced by the Government, and that approximately 200 “secret executions” were acknowledged by family members, prison officials and/or members of the judiciary, making a likely total of between 489 and 497 executions in 2012.28 Table 3 32. It was reported that at least 58 public executions have been carried out in 2013. The Special Rapporteur joins the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in condemning the use of public executions, despite a circular issued in January 2008 by the head of the judiciary that banned public executions. He also joins the Secretary-General in his view that “executions in public add to the already cruel, inhuman and degrading nature of the death penalty and can only have a dehumanizing effect on the victim and a brutalizing effect on those who witness the execution.” 29 The Special Rapporteur also remains concerned that provisions in the new Penal Code, while not yet adopted, seem to broaden the scope of crimes punishable by death. 33. On 22 October 2012, Saeed Sedighi, a Tehran-based shop owner, was executed along with nine others on drug-trafficking charges,30 despite the calls made on 12 October 2012 by three special procedures mandate holders to halt the executions. 31 The Government has yet to respond to due process-related queries, including to allegations that Mr. Sedighi was not permitted adequate access to a lawyer or allowed to defend himself during his trial. These rights are guaranteed by article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, articles 32 and 34 to 39 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as by the Law on Respecting Legitimate Freedoms and Citizenship Rights (2004), which determines criminal procedure and defines fair trial standards. 28 29 30 31 http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/publications/1000000030-ihrdc-chart-of-executions-by-the-islamicrepublic-of-iran-2012.html#.URsdFqUTvu0. See “Iran: UN Human Rights chief concerned about recent spate of executions”, OHCHR, 2 February 2011. Available from www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=10698&LangID=E. See “UN Special Rapporteurs outraged with recent executions in Iran”, OHCHR, 23 October 2013. Available from www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12688&LangID=E. “Iran: UN Special Rapporteurs call for the immediate halt of executions, including eleven scheduled for tomorrow”, OHCHR, 12 October 2012. Available from www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12656&LangID=E. 11