UN Condemns Iran’s Rising Executions
New York/Geneva: The United Nations has issued an urgent call for Iran to halt its escalating use of the death penalty, citing a dramatic surge in executions in 2025 and raising concerns about the targeting of ethnic minorities, migrants, and individuals engaged in protected activities under international human rights law. The appeal comes amid broader UN efforts to address human rights violations globally, as highlighted during a press briefing in Geneva on August 29, 2025.
According to the UN Human Rights Office, Iranian authorities have executed at least 841 people from January 1 to August 28, 2025, a sharp increase from previous years. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), told reporters in Geneva, “In July alone, Iranian authorities executed 110 individuals. This represents more than double the number of people executed in July of last year, and follows a major increase in executions during the first half of 2025.” She described the high number of executions as indicative of a “systematic pattern of using the death penalty as a tool of State intimidation,” with disproportionate impacts on ethnic minorities and migrants.
Among those facing imminent execution are 11 individuals, including six charged with “armed rebellion” due to alleged membership in the Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK) group and five linked to participation in the 2022 protests. On August 16, 2025, Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence against Sharifeh Mohammadi, a workers’ rights activist, further intensifying concerns. Shamdasani emphasised, “The death penalty is incompatible with the right to life and irreconcilable with human dignity. It creates an unacceptable risk of executing innocent people.” She added that the death penalty should not be imposed for conduct protected under international human rights law, such as participation in protests or advocacy for workers’ rights.
The UN Human Rights Office has repeatedly urged Iran to join the global movement toward abolishing the death penalty. Shamdasani stated, “We call on the Government of Iran not to implement the death penalty against these and other individuals on death row. And once again, we call on Iran to impose a moratorium on the application of capital punishment, as a step towards its abolition.” This call aligns with ongoing UN advocacy, as confirmed by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, during a New York briefing on August 29. Responding to questions about mechanisms to address the issue, Dujarric noted, “We’ve raised this in discussions with Iranian authorities. This is an issue that our Resident Coordinator raises. This is an issue that Mr. Hans Grundberg, our Special Envoy, raises. We hope that they’d be released. They deserve to be released immediately.”
The UN’s concerns come as Iran continues to face international scrutiny for its human rights record, particularly in the context of its judicial processes and treatment of dissenters. The OHCHR’s data underscores the urgency of the situation, with the 841 executions this year marking a significant escalation. The UN’s push for a moratorium reflects a broader call for systemic reform, as the organisation seeks to engage Iranian authorities in dialogue to prevent further loss of life and align the country’s practices with international human rights standards.
– global bihari bureau
