Deaths from Executions in Iran Reach Alarming Levels
The United Nations Human Rights Office has disclosed that Iranian authorities have carried out at least 841 executions since the start of the year, a staggering figure that raises serious concerns.
In a statement from Geneva, Rabina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, shared some alarming statistics gathered by the Human Rights Bureau over the past months. Remarkably, July alone saw 110 executions.
Furthermore, data released by the Hengaw Human Rights Agency on August 18 indicated that “the Islamic Republic of Iran has executed at least 800 individuals since the beginning of 2025, averaging around 100 executions each month,” according to their documented statistics.
Shamdasani pointed out that these executions serve not only as punishments but also as expressions of political power and dominance. It’s shocking, really.
“Many executions reflect a systematic use of the death penalty as a tool for intimidation, disproportionately affecting ethnic minorities and immigrants,” she noted.
As of now, the UN has reported that 11 people are facing imminent execution in Iran. Six have been charged with “armed rebellion” due to their alleged connections to the Mojahedin-E-Khalq (MEK) group, while the remaining five were involved in the “Women, Life and Freedom” protests, which erupted following Mahsa Amini’s tragic death while in police custody for violating hijab laws.
Among those highlighted was Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor rights activist, whose death sentence was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court earlier this month. It’s troubling to think about the implications for her young child, who will face life without her.
Shamdasani reiterated that the UN has repeatedly urged Iran to cease its reliance on the death penalty, emphasizing its incompatibility with the right to life and the principle of human dignity. “It carries an unacceptable risk of executing innocent people,” she stated. “The death penalty should not be applied for actions protected under international human rights laws.”
The UN continues to call on the Iranian government to refrain from executing these individuals and others.
