The United Nations, through its human rights chief Volker Türk, has raised urgent concerns over a stark rise in executions in Iran. Türk characterized the situation as “deeply disturbing,” emphasizing the need for Iran to halt all death penalty cases amid this alarming increase. In 2024 alone, at least 901 executions were reported, illustrating a worrying trend that has escalated since 2022.
Notably, the UN reported that the execution figures have been at their highest in years, with 2015 witnessing 972 executions, and a notable resurgence since last year. Furthermore, the spokesperson for the high commissioner indicated that 853 executions were recorded in 2023 before the number surged in the following year. Drug-related offenses largely fueled these executions, but activists, particularly those linked to the 2022 protests, also faced the death penalty.
The context of these executions traces back to the protests ignited by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died in police custody after being arrested for an alleged hijab infraction. The International Fact-Finding Mission reported significant civilian casualties amid unrest, with documented deaths among both women and children across various provinces.
A disturbing uptick in the execution of women has been noted, with at least 31 women executed in 2024—this marks the highest rate in 15 years. Many of these women were victims of domestic violence or forced marriages and were convicted of crimes surrounding these traumatic experiences. There remains an unsettling opacity surrounding Iran’s judicial process, making it hard to gauge the fairness of trials or the legal recourse available to those accused.
Calling for reform, Türk has urged for a moratorium on the death penalty, highlighting its incompatibility with fundamental human rights. He reiterated that such a penalty entails an intolerable risk of wrongful executions and cannot be validly imposed for actions protected under international law. The UN stresses that capital punishment should only be reserved for the most severe crimes, supported by undeniable evidence of guilt.
The UN’s Volker Türk has sounded alarms over a significant rise in executions in Iran, with at least 901 reported in 2024, reflecting an alarming trend that began escalating in 2022. Most executions are attributed to drug offenses, but activists and dissidents linked to protests also face death sentences. A notable increase in executions of women has been documented, prompting urgent calls for a moratorium on the death penalty in Iran.
In summary, the UN’s call for Iran to stop its increasing executions highlights a pressing human rights crisis. As the numbers soar, concern deepens over the judicial process and the treatment of vulnerable populations, particularly women. The UN emphasizes the necessity for a moratorium on the death penalty, reaffirming that such measures should only apply under stringent legal standards for the most serious offenses. The situation in Iran remains a focal point of international human rights advocacy, urging significant reforms and accountability.
The alarming rise in executions in Iran comes at a time when the country faces increased scrutiny for its human rights record. The UN human rights office has been actively documenting these executions, linking them to crackdowns on dissent and broader societal unrest. The backdrop of public protests against governmental policies, particularly following tragic incidents like the death of Mahsa Amini, has exacerbated these issues. As the number of executions escalates, international calls for termination of such practices have intensified, advocating for oversight and reform within Iran’s legal system.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
