In a stark revelation, the United Nations reported a significant surge in state executions carried out by Iran, with the number more than doubling compared to the first half of 2023. Specifically, at least 612 executions have been documented in 2024, a dramatic rise from the 297 executions recorded during the same period last year. This uptick is particularly alarming for minority groups in Iran, who are disproportionately affected by these state-sanctioned killings. The UN’s Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, emphasized the dire situation, noting that at least 48 individuals are currently on death row, with 12 facing imminent execution.
The tragic spike in executions coincides with the recent execution of two individuals, Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, who were allegedly tied to the opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK). Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran and a prominent figure in the MEK, vigorously condemned the executions on social media, echoing Ehsani’s defiant final words against the Iranian regime. The urgency of the situation is underscored by Amnesty International’s condemnation, which labeled the two executions as arbitrary and indicative of a broader crisis in Iran’s execution practices, leveraging the death penalty as a method to stifle dissent and instill fear among citizens.
Among the individuals executed this year, over 40% were convicted on drug-related charges. The UN’s findings raise concerns about the judicial process, which often involves closed trials and vague accusations such as “enmity against God” and “corruption on earth.” These ambiguous charges serve the regime’s interests in silencing opposition and compromising fair judicial proceedings. Türk highlighted the troubling lack of due process in many cases, pointing to systemic failures in protecting the rights of the accused.
The surge in executions correlates with the inauguration of President Massoud Pezeshkian in July 2024, where at least 975 executions have been reported, marking the highest rate since 2015. This increase reflects a troubling trend in Iran’s governance, with authorities seemingly escalating their reliance on capital punishment. Moreover, Iran is reportedly contemplating a new espionage bill that would redefine actions deemed as “collaboration with hostile States,” thereby broadening the scope for potential capital punishment. This potential legislative change highlights a state apparatus increasingly willing to impose severe penalties for perceived dissent or disloyalty.
The possibility of expanding capital punishment comes amid rising tensions in the region, including calls from Israel for political change within Iran. The Israeli government has asserted that recent military actions are targeted at the Iranian regime rather than its citizens. In response to the proposed espionage bill, Türk issued a strong condemnation, arguing that the expansion of capital punishment risks undermining fundamental human rights and dignity. He implored Iran to reconsider its approach, advocating for a global shift toward abolishing the death penalty and, at a minimum, instituting a moratorium on all executions.
In conclusion, the alarming rise in state executions in Iran underscores a broader crisis of human rights and rule of law within the country. The combination of arbitrary executions, closed trials, and draconian charges creates an environment of fear and repression. As international entities like the UN call for the cessation of such practices and the abolition of capital punishment, the Iranian government faces mounting pressure to align its policies with global human rights norms. The case of the MEK members exemplifies the regime’s brutality towards dissent and the imperative for greater international scrutiny of Iran’s human rights record.
