In a chilling report, human rights groups quantified the stark reality of Iran’s intensifying capital punishment, revealing that at least 975 individuals were executed in 2024, marking the highest figures since records began in 2008. They described this as a “horrifying escalation” in the Islamic Republic’s approach to justice, branding the death penalty a primary instrument of political repression against its populace.
The Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) and the French organisation Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM) condemned the use of executions, stating that an average of five lives were taken each day during the last quarter of the year. Increased tensions with Israel are seen as a contributor to the alarming rise in executions. The report noted a 17 percent increase in the number of executions compared to 2023, highlighting a worrying trend amidst ongoing political unrest.
Among those executed, 31 were women, representing the highest number in nearly two decades, while four executions occurred publicly. The report underscores allegations that the Iranian authorities wield the death penalty as a tactic to instil fear, particularly following the widespread protests that erupted in late 2022 in response to the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody.
Notably, two executions were linked directly to the protests, including that of Mohammad Ghobadlu, whose trial was riddled with controversy and claims of mental health issues being ignored. Another case involved Gholamreza Rasaei, whose execution took place in secret, raising serious concerns about the fairness of judicial proceedings in Iran.
The report stresses that the count might be conservative, citing potential additional executions not yet verified. As the year unfolds, at least 121 executions have already been recorded in Iran, suggesting an unrelenting pace of capital punishment that remains deeply entwined with the nation’s justice system, rooted in sharia law.
In 2024, Iran executed at least 975 people, marking a significant increase in capital punishment according to human rights groups. This figure, the highest since 2008, reflects the regime’s use of executions as a tool for political repression. Notable cases linked to protests reveal alarming judicial practices, raising concerns about human rights violations.
The report from human rights groups underscores a grim escalation in Iran’s use of the death penalty, with at least 975 executions recorded in 2024 alone. This represents not just a rise in numbers but a reinforcement of systemic oppression, particularly against dissenters amid growing political strife. As Iran continues its heavy-handed approach, concerns about judicial integrity and human rights violations loom ever larger, placing the country under scrutiny from the global community.
Original Source: www.france24.com
