The year 2024 witnessed a chilling surge in state-sanctioned executions in Iran, reaching a grim milestone unmatched in the past three decades. According to a comprehensive report by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), the Islamic Republic executed over 1,000 prisoners across 86 prisons, marking a 16% increase from the already alarming figure of 864 executions in 2023. This escalation in capital punishment paints a stark picture of a regime resorting to increasingly brutal tactics to suppress dissent and maintain its grip on power. The timing of these executions is particularly noteworthy, with a significant surge observed in the latter half of the year, coinciding with periods of heightened political instability and economic turmoil. Almost 70% of the executions were carried out after the July election of President Masoud Pezeshkian, and a staggering 47% occurred in the final quarter of 2024, a period marked by regional setbacks and escalating domestic crises, suggesting a desperate attempt by the regime to quell potential unrest and project an image of strength.
The NCRI report reveals a disturbing pattern of targeting vulnerable groups and individuals perceived as threats to the regime. Among the executed were 34 women and seven juvenile offenders, highlighting a blatant disregard for international human rights standards. The alarming number of executions also extended beyond Iranian borders, with 70 Afghan nationals facing the death penalty, a dramatic 300% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the execution of 119 individuals from the Baluchi minority underscores a concerning trend of disproportionate targeting of ethnic and religious groups. This echoes findings from a UN-mandated fact-finding mission, which highlighted the disproportionate impact of the government’s crackdown on protests on minority communities, particularly following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. The execution of these individuals raises serious concerns about systematic discrimination and persecution within the Iranian judicial system.
The escalating number of executions in Iran has drawn widespread condemnation and prompted calls for international action. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the NCRI, condemned the executions as a desperate attempt by the regime to quell the rising tide of popular discontent and prevent a nationwide uprising. She emphasized that any negotiations or dealings with the Iranian regime must be contingent on an immediate halt to executions and torture, and that the regime’s leaders must be held accountable for their decades-long record of human rights abuses and crimes against humanity. This sentiment underscores the growing international consensus that the Iranian regime’s actions represent a grave violation of fundamental human rights and necessitate a strong response from the international community.
Experts and analysts have linked the surge in executions to the regime’s increasing vulnerability both domestically and internationally. Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, noted the regime’s tendency to escalate repression at home when facing pressure abroad, viewing it as a means to deter potential dissent and maintain control. This analysis suggests that the regime’s internal insecurity fuels its reliance on brutal tactics, creating a vicious cycle of repression and further instability. The execution of high-profile figures, like 69-year-old German-American journalist Jamshid Sharmahd, abducted from Dubai in 2020 and executed on charges of “corruption on earth” following a grossly unfair trial, exemplifies the regime’s willingness to use extreme measures to silence dissenting voices and intimidate potential critics.
The sheer scale of the executions, as documented by the NCRI, is deeply disturbing. The frequency of these acts of state-sanctioned violence, with estimates reaching an average of one execution every four hours, paints a grim picture of life under the Iranian regime. Testimonies from political prisoners, such as 25-year-old Saeed Masouri, offer a chilling glimpse into the constant fear and uncertainty that permeates the lives of those incarcerated, with each sound of a closing door a potential harbinger of death. Masouri’s harrowing account, penned during Christmas, describes a period where nearly 25 innocent individuals were executed, emphasizing the relentless and brutal nature of the regime’s repressive apparatus. The relentless pace of executions, even during traditionally sacred periods, underscores the regime’s complete disregard for human life and its unwavering commitment to maintaining its grip on power through fear and intimidation.
The alarming number of executions carried out by the Iranian regime in 2024 serves as a stark indictment of its human rights record and its disregard for international law. The targeting of vulnerable groups, including women, juveniles, ethnic minorities, and foreign nationals, highlights the systemic nature of the regime’s repressive policies. The timing of the executions, coinciding with periods of political and economic instability, suggests a calculated strategy to suppress dissent and maintain control through fear. The international community must take decisive action to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its atrocities and to prevent further bloodshed. This includes imposing targeted sanctions, supporting human rights organizations, and amplifying the voices of those who are bravely resisting the regime’s tyranny. The ongoing struggle for human rights and freedom in Iran demands sustained international attention and pressure.
