More than 25 nations, including France, the U.K. and Canada, yesterday condemned the use of capital punishment by Iranian authorities, saying in a joint statement the Islamic republic was executing protesters to “silence dissent”.

The countries, joined by the European Union’s top diplomat, “condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing executions of protesters and use of the death penalty” by Iran.

“The use of capital punishment to silence dissent, intimidate communities, and punish individuals exercising their human rights can never be justified,” the statement said.

– AFP