Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty International<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe number of executions in 2023 is the highest recorded since 2015 and marks a 48% increase from 2022 and a 172% increase from 2021. Iran\u2019s killing spree is continuing into 2024, with at least 95 recorded executions by 20 March. Execution numbers recorded by Amnesty International are minimum figures and the organization believes the real number is higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe death penalty is abhorrent in all circumstances but deploying it on a mass scale for drug-related offences after grossly unfair trials before Revolutionary Courts is a grotesque abuse of power. The Islamic Republic\u2019s deadly anti-narcotics policies are contributing to a cycle of \u200epoverty and systemic injustice, and further entrenching \u200ediscrimination against marginalized communities, in particular Iran\u2019s oppressed Baluchi minority,\u201d said Diana Eltahawy, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year also saw a wave of executions targeting protesters, social media users and other actual or perceived dissidents for acts protected under international human rights law incurring charges such as \u201cinsulting the prophet\u201d and \u201capostasy\u201d as well as vague charges of \u201cenmity against God\u201d (moharebeh<\/em>) and\/or \u201ccorruption on earth\u201d (efsad-e fel arz).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cProtesters, dissidents and members of oppressed ethnic minorities are among those executed as the authorities have weaponized the death penalty in an orchestrated bid to sow fear among the public and suppress dissent. Without a robust global response, the Iranian authorities will feel emboldened to execute thousands more people in the coming years with total impunity,\u201d said Diana Eltahawy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur shocking findings on the Iranian authorities\u2019 ongoing assault on the right to life underscore the urgent need for the international community to press the Iranian authorities for an immediate moratorium on all executions. As the UN Human Rights Council votes this week on whether to renew the mandates of the Fact Finding Mission on Iran and the Special Rapporteur on Iran, it is vital to signal to the Iranian authorities that their abysmal human rights record will remain under international scrutiny and to ensure that an international independent investigative and accountability mechanism remains in place to collect and analyze evidence of crimes under international law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revolutionary Courts issued 520 (61%) of the death sentences carried out in 2023. These courts have jurisdiction over a wide range of acts, including drug-related offences, which the authorities consider as \u201cnational security\u201d crimes. The courts lack independence, operate under the influence of security and intelligence bodies, and routinely use torture-tainted forced \u201cconfessions\u201d in grossly unfair summary trials to issue convictions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n