World Responds To Ruhollah Zam's Execution

ICBPS- The international community apparently takes a stance over the execution of Iranian dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam, called it ‘Barbaric’ Act.

UN High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet has condemned the execution of Ruhollah Zam, stressed that his death sentence and execution by hanging are emblematic of a pattern of forced confessions extracted under torture and broadcast on state media being used as a basis to convict people.

In Geneva, UN human rights experts have strictly condemned the execution of Ruhollah Zam, calling his conviction and execution “unconscionable” and a serious violation of Iran’s obligations under international law.

The London-based Amnesty International said the execution of journalist Rouhollah Zam a ‘deadly blow’ to freedom of expression.

We are horrified at Iran's execution of journalist Rouhollah Zam. The use of the death penalty against him over his media work was absolutely prohibited under international law. His execution shows the extent of Iran's brutal tactics to repress dissent. https://t.co/S6EQazCoAz

— Amnesty Iran (@AmnestyIran) December 12, 2020

In a statement, the Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Nabila MASSRALI said that the European Union condemns this act in the strongest terms and recalls once again its irrevocable opposition to the use of capital punishment under any circumstances. It is also imperative for the Iranian authorities to uphold the due process rights of accused individuals and to cease the practice of using televised confessions to establish and promote their guilt.

The Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) tweeted that it is outraged at this new crime of Iranian justice and sees the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as “the mastermind of this execution.”

#Iran:  AmadNews editor #Rohollah_Zam was executed this 12/12. RSF is outraged at this new crime of Iranian justice and sees @ali_khamenei as the mastermind of this execution. RSF had warned @mbachelet and @JavaidRehman about his possible execution since the 23rd of October pic.twitter.com/sRGZRFxe95

— RSF (@RSF_inter) December 12, 2020

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists declared that “With the execution of Ruhollah Zam, Iranian authorities join the company of criminal gangs and violent extremists who silence journalists by murdering them,” said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Sherif Mansour in Washington, D.C. “This is a monstrous and shameful act, and one which the international community must not let pass unnoticed.”

With the execution of Roohollah Zam, #Iran authorities join the company of criminal gangs and violent extremists who silence journalists by murdering them, says @sherifmnsour https://t.co/BhhdfTlkMc

— Committee to Protect Journalists (@pressfreedom) December 12, 2020

The New York-based PEN America expressed it was devastated to learn of the horrific execution this weekend of Iranian journalist Ruhollah Zam, whose work online helped spark nationwide Iran protests in 2017. Iranian officials used a ploy to lure the France-based journalist to Iraq, where he was abducted. PEN America said that his execution shows the extent to which Iran’s leaders will go to stanch dissent.

Iranian Writers’ Association condemned the execution of Ruhollah Zam, called on authorities to end the systematic torture and executions in Iran.

IOPHR strongly condemned the execution of Ruhollah Zam.

Journalist Ruhollah Zam who lived in #Paris was kidnapped by IRGC when visiting Iraq in 2019 was #executed this morning.
Zam used his Telegram channel to expose the deep corruption of the Iranian regime.
This crime against humanity should be strongly condemned #RuhollahZam pic.twitter.com/WLwRMV1Prb

— IOPHR (@IOPHRpress) December 12, 2020

The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the White House strongly condemns Iran’s unjust, barbaric execution of Ruhollah Zam, an Iranian journalist kidnapped abroad by the regime.

The U.S. strongly condemns Iran's unjust, barbaric execution of Ruhollah Zam, an Iranian journalist kidnapped abroad by the regime. Zam exposed the brutality and corruption of the regime, which has killed or arrested more than 860 journalists in its 41-year reign of terror.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 14, 2020

American politician, Jake Sullivanis condemned the execution of Ruhollah Zam, called it another horrifying human rights violation by the Iranian regime.

Iran’s execution of Ruhollah Zam, a journalist who was denied due process and sentenced for exercising his universal rights, is another horrifying human rights violation by the Iranian regime. We will join our partners in calling out and standing up to Iran’s abuses.

— Jake Sullivan (@jakejsullivan) December 13, 2020

France announced on Sunday its ambassador to Iran would not participate in the December 14 online business forum in Tehran.

 Other envoys from Germany, Austria, and Italy have also canceled their involvement in the December 14 event as the French foreign ministry declared on Twitter. [the ministry ran the hashtag #NoBusinessAsUsual.]

 The decision has apparently been adopted amid the growing row between The Islamic Republic of Iran and European nations over the execution of Iranian dissident journalist Ruhollah Zam, who was hanged on Saturday.

On December 13, the Guardian diplomatic editor, Patrick Wintour also wrote on his Twitter account “I am not chairing tomorrow’s discussion with EU envoys based in Tehran on economic relations with Iran.”

For those interested: after Iran's abhorrent execution of fellow journalist Ruhollah Zam, I am not chairing tomorrow's discussion with EU envoys based in Tehran on economic relations with Iran. I'm sure envoys will discuss how trade must be contingent on respect for human rights.

— Patrick Wintour (@patrickwintour) December 13, 2020

The so-called moderate Hassan Rouhani was among those Iranian officials who come out in support of the execution.