Sharp spike in executions, death sentences in Iran

“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,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said in a statement, urging Iranian authorities to urgently halt all executions and move towards the abolition of the death penalty.

Widespread civilian protests against the Government began at the end of 2025 linked to economic unrest, soaring inflation and widespread shortages. The crackdown which followed led to thousands of deaths, with thousands more detained, together with a months-long internet blackout.

A independent UN fact-finding mission on Iran last month urged Iranian authorities to halt the executions of 10 men who took part in protests in Isfahan this year and strongly condemned the 19 July executions of two others sentenced to death in the same case.

Torture, ill-treatment

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, the UN rights chief said, adding that over 100 others are at risk of execution on similar charges.

Meanwhile, capital punishment for drug-related offences is also continuing at an alarming rate.

Confessions have allegedly been obtained under torture and other ill-treatment, he said, also highlighting serious due process violations, including allegations of unfair trials, public executions and death sentences issued after brief closed-door hearings.

Lack of fair trials

“Persistent lack of fair trial and due process guarantees are deeply troubling,” the High Commissioner said, noting that some sentences have reportedly been carried out only weeks after arrests had taken place.

Reports indicate that 12 defendants were 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,” he said. “Such punishment has no place in our world.”