In 2024, Iran executed more people than it has in a long time: at least 901 death sentences were carried out. This means that Iran is considered to be the country with the most executions worldwide, alongside China. This figure was cited by the United Nations Human Rights Office (UN) in Geneva. Among those sentenced to death were 31 women.
UN commissioner calls for: Abolish the death penalty
There have not been as many executions in Iran since 2015 as there were in 2024. It is “deeply disturbing” that the number of people facing the death penalty in Iran is increasing from year to year: The UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk stated this in a message. Türk demands: “It is high time that Iran stopped this ever-increasing flood of executions.” One reason: the death penalty is incompatible with the fundamental right to life. Türk called on the regime in Iran to ultimately abolish the death penalty.
Executions for drug-related offenses and protests
According to the UN Office, the majority of death sentences were handed down for drug-related offenses. However, people who took part in the 2022 mass anti-government protests following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini were also executed.
Amnesty: regime seeks to consolidate its power
The death sentences for the 31 women executed were imposed, among other things, for homicide. For example, they had defended themselves against rape by their husband or after being forced into marriage. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International criticize the fact that the Iranian authorities use the death penalty specifically “to instill fear and terror in the population and to consolidate their power”.
The link to the UN Human Rights Office’s message:
United Nations | Iran: Rise in executions deeply troubling
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