U.N. 'dismayed' by Iran's human rights

GENEVA, Switzerland, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The international community is "dismayed" that Iran isn't listening to complaints over the rising number of executions in the country, a human rights chief said.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said she was alarmed over Iranian media reports that at least 66 people were executed in Iran in January. Though most were executed for drug-related offenses, at least three political prisoners were hanged.

Pillay expressed concern over the record-number of executions in the Islamic republic.

"We have urged Iran, time and again, to halt executions," said Pillay in a statement. I am very dismayed that instead of heeding our calls, the Iranian authorities appear to have stepped up the use of the death penalty."

Pillay stressed that expressing opposition isn't a crime under international laws that guarantee the right to free speech and free association.

"It is absolutely unacceptable for individuals to be imprisoned for association with opposition groups, let alone be executed for their political views or affiliations," she said.

Iran was condemned for its reaction to protests that grew out of contested presidential elections in 2009.

Iran in January hanged two men allegedly associated with the People's Mujahedin of Iran for inciting unrest in the post-election turmoil in 2009 and for "chanting slogans" in favor of the group, whose status as a terrorist group is up for debate in the international community.