Iran is facing increasing criticism from the international community as it reportedly continues a high rate of executions, averaging three a day, according to Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO). The organization has detailed that more than 500 people have been executed this year alone, with Human Rights Watch (HRW) stating that at least 113 executions occurred in May 2025. This wave of executions is seen as a reflection of Iran’s strict anti-drug policies and repression of political dissent, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and women.
Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) mandates that the death penalty should only be applied in cases involving the most serious crimes, excluding drug-related and political offenses. However, reports indicate a 75% increase in executions in early 2025 compared to the previous year, with projections suggesting over 1,000 executions could occur by year’s end if the current pace continues.
Iran Human Rights has also highlighted the pressure placed on families in murder cases to choose between a death sentence and the payment of “diya,” or “blood money,” which can vary annually based on judicial determination. Furthermore, political prisoners and individuals accused of national security offenses face immediate execution risks after the Supreme Court of Iran upholds Revolutionary Court decisions without proper judicial review, often under charges like “armed rebellion,” “enmity against God,” and “corruption on earth.”
A public campaign known as “No to Execution Tuesdays” has emerged in response, gaining the backing of several human rights advocates, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi. Despite these challenges, Iran appears to be employing the death penalty increasingly as a method of political control in the aftermath of movements like 2023’s “Women Life Freedom” movement. Further details on these developments can be found here.