Iran Faces International Condemnation Over Rising Executions
As the United Nations recently passed a resolution denouncing Iran’s ongoing execution practices, a prominent dissident group has revealed alarming figures. The Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK) claims that Iran executed 2,013 individuals under President Masoud Pezeshkian from January to mid-December this year. This number is more than double the 975 executions reported by the U.N. Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights for the entire year of 2024, which itself marked the highest total since 2015.
The MEK, in its analysis, attributes this dramatic increase in executions to several factors, including a plummeting currency, widespread protests, internal power struggles, and renewed U.N. sanctions. They assert that the current execution total is the highest since the 1980s.
In light of these grim reports, a spokesperson from the U.S. State Department denounced Iran’s persistent human rights violations, stating, “We strongly condemn the Iranian regime’s use of execution as a tool of political repression.” The spokesperson highlighted that for years, the regime has subjected its citizens to torture and unfair trials, leading to many unlawful executions.
Experts believe more action is needed from Washington. Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior director at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, pointed out that the U.S. has fallen behind other allies in imposing sanctions against Iran for its human rights abuses. He noted that after a protest in Mashhad this December, Canada took steps to sanction several Iranian individuals.
Taleblu emphasized the need for the U.S. to showcase stronger support for Iranian protesters, arguing that this should be a core part of American foreign policy. He warned against superficial methods of conveying support, insisting that the U.S. should take meaningful actions against the Iranian regime.
Additionally, the MEK is urging U.S. lawmakers to recognize and support the Iranian people’s right to resist against their current government, which they view as the only path to freedom from theocratic rule.
On December 10, during International Human Rights Day, the European Parliament called for global action against Iran for its rising execution rates. Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, underscored the urgency of addressing the situation, particularly urging that all diplomatic relations with Iran should be contingent on halting executions.
Among those facing death sentences is Zahra Tabari, a 67-year-old engineer who was reportedly sentenced after a brief trial without her legal counsel. This ongoing wave of executions has led to significant outrage, including hunger strikes staged by death row inmates protesting against their conditions.
As public and international scrutiny continues, Iran’s mission to the U.N. has not provided any comments on the recent allegations and reports surrounding its execution practices.
