Interactive Dialogue with Morris Tidball-Binz,
Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions
Statement by the United States of America
UN Human Rights Council – 47th Session
Geneva, July 1, 2021
As Delivered by Daniel Kronenfeld
We thank the Special Rapporteur.
The United States reiterates its unequivocal rejection of summary execution as antithetical to international human rights law and norms.
In Syria, the Assad regime uses summary executions to repress civilians. In Iran, authorities continue to execute individuals denied judicial due process. Last year’s executions of wrestler Navid Afkari and journalist Ruhollah Zam shock the conscience.
In Ethiopia, while we note the Government of Ethiopia’s recent announcement calling for a unilateral cease fire, we remain deeply concerned about reports that armed groups, including the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, Eritrean Defense Forces, Tigray Defense Forces, and Amhara regional forces and militias, use arbitrary arrest and detention, and summary executions. We call on armed actors to immediately end these practices.
We urge all governments to conduct transparent investigations into reports of summary executions and ensure that law enforcement actions are consistent with human rights obligations. We stand ready to assist in these efforts.
How can the international community better respond to and prevent future summary executions by State actors?