I am alarmed by the rise in executions and death sentences issued in Iran since March, and that capital punishment continues to be used to instill fear among the population and suppress dissent. I urge the authorities to urgently halt all executions and move towards the abolition of the death penalty.
Since 19 March 2026, at least 56 people have been executed on national security-related charges, including 27 individuals in cases linked to protests at the start of the year. Over 100 others are at risk of execution on similar charges. Executions for drug-related offences are also continuing at an alarming rate.
Persistent lack of fair trial and due process guarantees are deeply troubling. Confessions have allegedly been obtained under torture and other ill-treatment. Several executions have reportedly been carried out in public. Some have reportedly been carried out only weeks after arrest. Twelve defendants were reportedly sentenced to death following a single three-hour closed-door hearing.
The death penalty is incompatible with the right to life and irreconcilable with human dignity. Such punishment has no place in our world.
