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An Iranian organization has revealed that the number of executions in Iran over the past seven months has surpassed 300, including several foreigners.
On August 3, 2024, the Iranian Human Rights Organization (IHRNGO) published a report confirming that Iranian authorities carried out 305 executions between January and July 2024. The organization reported that among those executed were 15 women, 42 Baloch citizens, 20 Kurdish citizens, 20 Afghan nationals, and one Iraqi national.
According to the report, 172 individuals were executed on drug-related charges, 110 for murder, 15 for security-related offenses (including charges such as prostitution and “corruption on earth”), 5 on charges of espionage for Israel, 5 with alleged links to Sunni groups, and 3 for rape.
The organization noted that the rate of executions in Iran has experienced a relative decline following the death of former President Ebrahim Raisi and the conclusion of the second round of presidential elections, which took place from May 19 to July 5, 2024.
In July alone, at least 49 executions were recorded, including 36 in the last 11 days of the month.
Significantly, the report highlights that only 28 of the 305 executions this year (9%) were officially announced by Iranian authorities. The remaining 91% were confirmed by Iranian human rights organizations. This marks a 30% decrease in executions compared to the same period last year, when at least 430 individuals were executed.
Amnesty International condemns the use of the death penalty, labeling it the ultimate form of cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment. The organization opposes the death penalty in all cases, regardless of the crime or circumstances. International standards dictate that the death penalty should be reserved for the “most serious crimes,” typically defined as murder.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) advocates for the complete abolition of the death penalty as a necessary step for states to fully respect the human rights of all convicted individuals.
Same Justice Human Rights Organization has also expressed a strong opposition to the continued executions in Iran. It calls on the relevant authorities to explore alternative penalties for crimes that do not involve the death penalty and emphasizes that no one should be prosecuted or punished based on their political beliefs.
