The UN human rights chief has said he is alarmed by the rise in executions in Iran, with capital punishment continuing to be used "to instil fear among the population and suppress dissent". More than 100 others were at risk of execution on similar charges, while executions for drug-related offences were also continuing at an alarming rate, he added. The human rights group said that was the highest figure on record since 1981 and included 45 executions of suspected dissidents on national security-related charges. "Several executions have reportedly been carried out in public. UN human rights experts said the 12 were sentenced to death "in one hearing, in a closed courtroom and without clarity as to each defendant's individual responsibility", which violated established fair trial standards.