Soaring executions in Iran amid popular protests in May 2022

The Iranian regime carried out a shocking number of executions in May.

This increase in the number of executions comes at a time when popular protests are ongoing in several provinces.

In the face of growing societal discontent, the clerical regime has found the only way to preserve its rule by intensifying executions to intimidate society.

An investigation by Iran Human Rights Monitor in May found that at least 52 prisoners were hanged in various prisons. They include three women and two minors at the time of their crimes.

21 of those executed were charged with “drug-related” crimes.

None of these executions have been officially announced.

Another 30 executions were carried out for “premeditated murder” charges, and one was carried out for the charge of “moharebeh through armed robbery”.

Death by retribution is carried out on persons convicted of murder, regardless of their motives.

Of course, the figures cannot reflect the reality of what is happening inside Iran’s prisons. Considering the Iranian regime’s lack of transparency, which has deprived human rights activists of access to real statistics, the published figures must be regarded as a minimum and the actual number is definitely higher.

Shocking statistics

During a series of major revelations in May 2022, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) published extensive information obtained from the clerical regime’s judicial system, including the Prisons Organization.

According to the statistics registered by the office of the Prisons Organization, 5,197 people are on death row or sentenced to Qisas (retribution in kind). Of these, 1,366 are sentenced to death, including 39 women. Another 3,831 prisoners, including 144 women, have a sentence of Qisas or retribution in kind.

The documents also list the names of 51 persons, including 23 women, sentenced to death by stoning.

Some 48,559 of the detainees, are going through the “investigation phase” and held with “undecided” status by agencies such as the State Security Force (SSF) and the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS). Based on this data, 17,190 prisoners have more than 15 years of sentence.

A new Amnesty International report dated May 24, 2022, noted the Iranian regime’s shocking record in carrying out death penalties.

Amnesty said at least 314 (or 54%) of the 579 registered executions in 18 countries in 2021 were carried out in Iran. The Amnesty International report also pointed out that with at least 314 executions registered in 2021, Iran tops the list of countries that use the death penalty. AI noted the actual numbers are probably higher.

According to the Amnesty International report, the Iranian regime violates children’s rights and tramples relevant international treaties. They have executed at least three convicts under 18 at the time of the crime.

Baluch and Kurd prisoners make up the largest number of execution victims in Iran. A Baluch woman was hanged in the Central Prison of Zahedan on May 7, 2022.

Executions on drug-related charges:

Executions on murder charges:

Final word:

Iran Human Rights Monitor calls on the Secretary-General, the Human Rights Council and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Security Council, the European Union to bring the Iranian regime to justice for its gross human rights violations.

Iran HRM urges all human rights bodies and organizations to take urgent action to rescue death row prisoners. It also reiterates the need to refer the case of human rights abuses in Iran to the UN Security Council and hold the regime’s officials accountable for four decades of crimes against humanity.