Justice Systems

Iran’s appalling record on human rights has come under intense scrutiny as its aggressive use of the death penalty draws widespread condemnation from the international community. In their 2022 Annual Report on Iran, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty revealed a staggering increase of 75% in executions. The report disclosed that 582 people met their demise on the executioner’s block that year, a shocking jump from the previous year’s toll of 333. This surge in executions serves as a chilling testament to the Iranian government’s unrelenting commitment to silencing opposition voices. What is even more disturbing is the sharp rise in executions for drug-related charges, with at least 256 individuals facing the death penalty in 2022 compared to 126 in 2021 – a 103% increase. Aside from the sheer numbers, the discriminatory aspect of Iran’s death penalty is equally alarming. Amnesty International has highlighted the regime’s use of capital punishment as a political tool to suppress protests, stifle dissidents, and target ethnic minorities. The oppressed Baluchi Minority has borne the brunt of the brutality, comprising a disproportionate number of those executed. During the 8th World Congress Against the Death Penalty, held in Berlin, it was highlighted how the death penalty in Iran is not merely a response to heinous crimes, but a politicized tool aimed at curbing any form of dissent. Every execution becomes a chilling message to potential protesters: a stark illustration of what consequences await those challenging the authorities.

Within the goverment’s systematic use of torture and coerced confessions there emerges a sinister strategy to crush dissent and quell resistance. Amnesty International has advocated for victims such as Majid Kazemi,

Saleh Mirhashemi and Saeed Yaghoubi. These alarming cases shed light on the depth of the government brutality employed, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention. These three individuals, swept up in a wave of protests in Esfahan city following the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, became victims not only of the regime’s heavy-handed tactics but also of a deliberate campaign to instill fear and silence opposition. Their arrests marked the beginning of an inhumane ordeal designed to set a chilling precedent for others who dared to challenge the status quo.

During their forcible disappearances, Amnesty International stated Kazemi, Mirhashemi, and Yaghoubi were subjected to torture, a brutal method utilised by the Iranian authorities to extract confessions and maintain control. The coercion extended to a fabrication of charges, with the authorities imposing a vague and overly broad charge of “enmity against God” (moharebeh). These unfounded allegations had stemmed from the torture-tainted confessions of the trio. The trials themselves were a mockery of justice, lacking any semblance of fairess or adherence to international human rights standards.

The international community, including human rights organizations and diplomatic entities, has raised its collective voice against Iran’s egregious human rights violation. The United Nations Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, condemned Iran for its “abominable record” on the death penalty and advocated for authorities to end this practice immediately. Amnesty International has been at the forefront of exposing the severity of the situation, urging foreign embassies in Iran to send their high-level observers to ongoing trials where the defendants are at risk of a death sentence. The Office of the US Special Envoy for Iran has also condemned Iran’s persistent use of the death penalty as a means to suppress human rights, and highlighted the troubling trend of hundreds of executions in 2023 following sham trials and arbitrary detentions. As Iran continues its ruthless crackdown on dissent, the international community faces a critical juncture in addressing this gross human rights violation. The death penalty, wielded as a weapon against protesters and dissidents, remains a symbol of the regime’s unyielding grip on power. Efforts to curb Iran’s aggressive use of the death penalty must include sustained diplomatic pressure, sanctions, and international condemnation.

The stories of Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashemi, and Saeed Yaghoubi must serve as rallying cries for justice, prompting a united stand against the brutal suppression of resistance in the country. The world cannot afford to tum a blind eye to the plight of those silenced by the hangman’s noose, while the struggle for human rights and freedom persists against oppressive regimes.