Iran reportedly executed at least 901 people in 2024, the highest total recorded in nine years and a 6% increase from the 853 executions in 2023, according to the UN human rights chief, Volker Türk. The alarming rise includes about 40 executions in a single week in December, sparking fresh concerns over the country’s escalating use of the death penalty. “It is deeply disturbing that yet again we see an increase in the number of people subjected to the death penalty in Iran year-on-year,” Türk said, calling for a moratorium on executions with a view to eventual abolition.
Most of the executions were related to drug offences, though dissidents and individuals connected to the 2022 protests were also targeted. The protests, which erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman detained for not wearing a “proper” hijab, have had a lasting impact on Iranian society. Ethnic and religious minorities have been disproportionately affected by the government’s crackdown, with more than half of those executed in 2024 belonging to minority groups, including 183 Kurds, according to a report from Hengaw, a Kurdish human rights organization.
The execution of women surged to record levels, with at least 31 women put to death, the highest since Iran Human Rights (IHR) began monitoring the death penalty 17 years ago. Among them was Leila Ghaemi, executed after reportedly killing her husband, whom she found raping her daughter. Another victim, Parvin Mousavi, was executed after unknowingly transporting 5kg of morphine while attempting to support her family. Activists argue that such cases fail to meet the “most serious crimes” standard required for capital punishment under international law.
Juvenile offenders were also among those executed, with the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) documenting the deaths of five individuals who were under 18 at the time of their alleged crimes. This practice is in direct violation of international law, which prohibits the use of capital punishment for juvenile offenders. The execution of minors and vulnerable groups has intensified calls for accountability and reforms within Iran’s judicial system.
The UN’s fact-finding mission on Iran has noted that the government’s use of the death penalty is part of a broader strategy to instill fear and suppress dissent. “The death penalty is incompatible with the fundamental right to life and raises the unacceptable risk of executing innocent people,” Türk warned, emphasizing that it should never be used for conduct protected under international human rights law. Amnesty International reported that Iran accounted for 74% of all recorded executions worldwide in 2023, a figure that excludes China, where execution data remains classified but is believed to number in the thousands.
As international scrutiny grows, the Iranian regime faces mounting pressure to address its alarming use of the death penalty. Activists and human rights organizations continue to call for greater transparency, fair trials, and adherence to international standards. The execution surge in 2024 underscores the urgent need for reforms to protect vulnerable populations and uphold the fundamental right to life.