Iran | Highest Monthly Execution Recorded in 5 Years During Nationwide Protests

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); June 8, 2022: At least 168 people were executed by Iran authorities in the first five months of 2022. According to data gathered by Iran Human Rights, the executions in the first five months of 2022 are 50% more than the executions recorded for the same period in 2021.

According to the current report, since the nationwide protests began on 7 May, at least 54 people were executed, the highest monthly execution rate recorded since 2018. Baluch minorities have continued to be disproportionally executed, with 25% of the 168 executions being Baluch.

Iran Human Director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said: “The death penalty is the authorities’ key political tool for repressing and creating fear in society. The weakest and most marginalised communities are the least costly victims of the death penalty. ُThe people and the international community can act by raising their political cost.”

According to data gathered by Iran Human Rights, at least 168 people were executed in the first five months of 2022. 110 executions were recorded for the same period in 2021.

Since the nationwide protests began on 7 May, there was a sudden spike in executions. While the execution charges were not political, an analysis of past execution trends reveals a direct correlation between political events and execution spikes. For example, executions decrease in the run-up to elections , which require a popular vote and increase once it is over. Or they increase to instil fear in society when authorities anticipate popular protests.

Two of the men executed were probably juvenile offenders. Iran Human Rights is continuing to investigate to confirm their ages at the time of offence. Of the 168 executions, 42 were Baluch minorities. Since the nationwide protests began on 7 May, at least 54 people were executed in Iranian prisons. Ten executions were recorded in May 2021.

Of those executed in January-May 2022, 70 were sentenced to death for drug-related charges. As with 2021, none of the drug-related offences have been officially reported. Drug execution rates rose by fivefold in 2021 compared to that of the previous three years, a reversal in practice of the 2017 Amendment to the Anti-Narcotics Laws. 2022 marks the second year in a row, with a 92% increase compared to the same period in 2021.

Facts and figures:

At least 168 people were executed in the first 5 months of 2021
92 people including 4 women were executed on charges of qisas for murder
70 people were executed for drug-related charges
4 people were executed on charges of moharebeh (enmity against God)
2 people were executed on rape charges
At least 5 women were executed
90% of the executions were not reported by official sources
None of the drug-related executions have been officially reported
25% of those executed were Baluch minorities
Execution numbers in the first 5 months of 2022 are 1.5x more than the executions recorded for the same period in 2021 (110 executions)

Source: Iran Human Rights, Staff, June 8, 2022

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