Volker Türk stated that the death penalty continues to be used "to create fear among the population and suppress dissent." He noted that since March 19, at least 56 individuals have been executed on charges involving national security, with 27 of these cases related to nationwide anti-government protests in January. Türk also mentioned that over 100 more people face the risk of execution on similar charges, and drug-related executions are still proceeding at an alarming rate. He urged Iranian authorities to halt all executions and move towards abolishing the death penalty, emphasizing that such punishment has no place in today's world. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also expressed deep concern over the continued lack of fair trial and due process guarantees, with confessions allegedly obtained under torture and other ill-treatment.