Iran consistently ranks among the world’s leading executioners, claiming the grim distinction of having the highest number of executions per capita. The Iranian regime extensively employs the death penalty as a tool not only for judicial punishment but also for political repression. The Iranian legal system, with its reliance on vaguely defined charges such as Moharebeh (waging war against God) and Baghi (rebellion), provides the state with broad latitude to impose capital punishment. These charges are frequently invoked not only in cases of violent crimes like murder but also to silence political dissent, protests, and religious beliefs that deviate from the state’s official ideology.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned Iran’s widespread use of the death penalty, emphasizing that many executions follow deeply flawed trials, often lacking due process. Defendants are frequently convicted based on confessions extracted under torture or duress, raising serious concerns about the fairness of the legal proceedings. Despite international criticism, the Iranian judiciary continues to target vulnerable populations, including political prisoners, protesters, and ethnic and religious minorities, using the death penalty as a means of control and intimidation.
In recent years, the Iranian regime has intensified its use of capital punishment as a deterrent against political opposition, particularly following the widespread protests of 2019 and 2022. In response to these uprisings, the regime has escalated its repression by executing or sentencing to death those involved in protests, aiming to instill fear and suppress further dissent.
This report by Iran Human Rights Monitor (Iran HRM) seeks to document the harrowing experiences of political prisoners currently on death row in Iran. We have compiled the names and details of 61 political prisoners who have been sentenced to death, although this number is not exhaustive. It reflects the information we have gathered up to the end of September 2024.
The report is divided into two parts. The first section provides a list of the political prisoners facing death sentences, along with brief explanations of the circumstances surrounding their convictions. The second section delves into some sample cases, highlighting how these death sentences were issued based on confessions obtained through torture. These cases demonstrate clear violations of legal standards and underscore the lack of due process in Iran’s judicial system. By shedding light on these injustices, we hope to raise awareness and call for international intervention to prevent executions in Iran.
