Iran Human Rights Organization Warns About Escalating Executions

The Iran Human Rights Organization (IHRNGO) has issued a report sounding the alarm about the rising threat of more executions in Iran coinciding with the Christmas holidays.

On Saturday, the organization based in Norway also reported that the execution of Samira Sabzian is expected to take place in the upcoming days. Initially scheduled for December 13, her execution for the alleged murder of her husband was deferred by a week. Samira, who was married as a child, has been on death row for a decade.

IHRNGO is calling on the public, civil society, and the international community to intervene and prevent the executions of Samira and other individuals on death row by engaging in anti-death penalty campaigns and political actions. Director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam expressed apprehension about the average of over four executions per day in the past week, stressing the need for the global community to speak out. He voiced concerns that, during the Christmas and New Year holidays, when many parts of the world are on vacation, more individuals may face the risk of execution.

“During this time, particularly individuals such as women, juvenile offenders, protesters, and political prisoners whose executions could elicit stronger reactions under normal circumstances are at greater risk.”

The Mizan news agency of Iran's notorious judiciary also announced the execution of an unnamed man on December 16 in Zahedan Central Prison, citing "links with foreign services, including Mossad." The timing of the execution, occurring a day after the armed attack on the Rask police headquarters, raises suspicions of it being retaliatory.

Iran Human Rights has documented a total of 31 executions between December 9 and December 16, 2023.