Iran's surge in executions reflects crackdown following protests

The Iranian authorities have intensified the use of the death penalty, reveals a joint report by Iran Human Rights (IHR) and Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM). According to collected data, in 2023, Iran carried out 834 executions, representing an increase of 43 percent compared to the previous year. In the last 20 years, a higher number was only recorded in 2015, when 972 people were executed.

The report emphasized that the increase in the number of executions in Iran was noted a year after the nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini. A correlation between the lack of international attention, which focused on the war in the Gaza Strip, and the application of the death penalty by the Islamic Republic was also noted. "The average daily number of executions increased from two people before the start of the war in the Gaza Strip to an average of 3-4 executions per day during the war," reported IHR.

In 2023, Iranian authorities also expanded the range of charges. For the first time in 10 years, the death penalty was carried out for blasphemy and adultery. The increase in drug-related executions is also alarming. This number increased 18-fold in 2023. In connection with illegal substances, as many as 471 people were executed. Despite the cooperation agreement with the Islamic Republic, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime did not intervene in this matter, the report emphasized.

Norwegian scientist and human rights activist in Iran, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, commented on the report's findings. "The Iranian regime uses the death penalty to extend its reign. We are dealing with a regime that is oppressive, corrupt, and incompetent at solving people's daily problems," he said.

The scientist stressed that the death penalty is the most important tool in the hands of the regime. "Instilling fear in society is the only way for the regime to maintain power, and the death penalty is its most important tool. Increasing the political costs of execution through international pressure may slow down the regime's killing machine," he stated.

Source: iranhr.net