As the world prepares to observe the International Day Against Executions on October 10, fresh reports reveal a chilling surge in the Iranian regime’s use of the death penalty as a tool of repression.
In a single week, from September 30 to October 6, 2024, at least 43 individuals were executed across Iran, translating to an average of one execution every four hours. Human rights organizations are sounding the alarm, pointing to this alarming spike as part of a broader strategy by the regime to maintain its grip on power.
The wave of executions took place in prisons located in major cities like Isfahan, Ahvaz, Shiraz, and Mashhad, among others. The deadliest day occurred on October 2, when 19 prisoners were hanged. The previous day saw 12 executions, contributing to a staggering death toll over the week.
The execution rate has risen sharply in recent months. In just 30 days, from August 22 to September 21, 52 prisoners were hanged, and 14 new death sentences were issued. Since the start of 2024, the Iranian regime has executed more than 514 people, including 18 women. These figures underscore a calculated campaign to use capital punishment as a tool of fear and control, silencing dissent and quashing unrest.
Among those executed were 40 men and three women, with two individuals facing public execution on September 30 after being charged with “participating in Moharebeh” (enmity against God) and the killing of a police officer.
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned Iran’s surge in executions. Amnesty’s latest report revealed that nearly 75% of the world’s recorded executions in 2023 took place in Iran, marking the regime’s ongoing reliance on state-sanctioned violence.
In response, political prisoners within Iran have launched the “No to Execution Tuesdays” hunger strike campaign, which began in February 2024. Prisoners across 22 facilities, including the notorious Evin and Karaj prisons, are participating in this weekly protest, drawing attention to the regime’s use of the death penalty. Their movement calls for an end to the executions and seeks international solidarity against these state-sanctioned killings.
As the International Day Against Executions approaches, the global community is urged to take action. Iran’s widespread use of the death penalty remains a dire human rights issue, demanding attention and condemnation from world leaders to protect the dignity and freedom of the Iranian people.
