UN expresses 'deep concern' over rising number of executions in Iran
July 28, 202552 ViewsRead Time: 2 minutes
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The United Nations urged Iran on Monday to halt the death penalty, pointing to a 'disturbing rise in executions' that have affected at least 612 people so far this year.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, said in a statement, 'Reports of hundreds of executions in Iran so far this year shine a light on a deeply concerning situation and the need for an immediate suspension of the use of the death penalty in this country'.
The number of executions carried out on at least 612 people in the first half of 2025 is more than twice the number recorded in the same period of 2024, with 297 executions, according to the UN statement.
Turk said, 'It is concerning to hear reports that at least 48 people are currently awaiting execution, including 12 facing imminent risk of execution'.
More than 40% of those executed this year were convicted of drug-related crimes, according to the UN statement, while others were sentenced based on 'vague and ambiguous charges such as +banditry+ and +corruption on earth+ that authorities typically use to silence dissenters'.
Volker Turk pointed out that the information gathered by the United Nations indicates that judicial proceedings are usually conducted in closed sessions and do not respect the principles of fair trial.
Several non-governmental organizations revealed that Iranian authorities have arrested hundreds of people and executed dozens in the context of a crackdown following the 12-day war with Israel, accusing the Islamic Republic of resorting to intimidation to cover up the weaknesses exposed during the conflict.
Iran ranks second globally after China in terms of the number of executions carried out, according to several human rights groups, including Amnesty International.
