At least 52 executions in July 2021 depicts abysmal human rights situation in Iran.
The number of executions has increased after the presidential elections of June 18.
Iranian authorities executed at least 52 people in July bringing the total number of executions since the beginning of 2021 to 192.
Of these, only five have been reported by the state media.
The actual number of executions in Iran is much higher. The Iranian regime carries out most executions in secret and out of the public eye. No witnesses are present at the time of execution but those who carry them out.
Iran is one of the last countries in the world that continues to use the death penalty for crimes committed by people under the age of 18, in violation of its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Iranian authorities in July executed Ebrahim Shahbakhsh, a 23-year-old Baluchi prisoner who had been arrested six years ago on drug related charges.
At least 18 executions were carried out for drug-related offenses and 30 were carried out for murder. Two people were executed for rape. The details and reason for the execution of other two prisoner are not known.
Ebrahim Raisi has become president of Iran, even though his resume is filled with crimes against the Iranian people and humanity. Shortly after his ascension was announced, Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnès Callamard criticized Raisi’s rise to the second-most powerful position in the country.
Callamard wrote: “That Ebrahim Raisi has risen to the presidency instead of being investigated for the crimes against humanity of murder, enforced disappearance, and torture is a grim reminder that impunity reigns supreme in Iran…”
According to Amnesty International Iran is the most prolific user of capital punishment in the region and the second worldwide after China.
The Iranian government continues to implement death sentences against inmates who have been convicted on drug-related charges while relevant officials have frankly admitted that the executions are fruitless. They say that not only are these executions ineffective in combatting drug smuggling, but they have brought reverse effect.
Iran HRM once again calls on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Human Rights Council and other institutions defending human rights to take urgent action to save the lives of Iranian prisoners on death row. The Iranian regime’s dossier of human rights violations must be referred to the UN Security Council. The leaders and officials of the clerical regime in Iran must face justice for four decades of committing crimes against humanity.
