Iran accounts for most global executions in 2024

Iran led the world in executions this year, with at least 800 documented cases as of December 1, according to the Death Penalty Information Center (DPI).

"Despite the overall global trend towards abolition, total known executions worldwide increased for the third consecutive year, led by Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq," according to recent data from the DPI.

Nonviolent resistance efforts have started in response to Iran's ongoing use of the death penalty, as reported by the non-profit organization (NPO). One example is the weekly “No Death Penalty Tuesday” hunger strike by Iranian prisoners. This movement, first called “Black Tuesdays,” began on January 30, 2024. It was launched by 10 political prisoners in Karaj’s Ghezel Hesar Prison after several political prisoners were executed in January and weekly group executions occurred at the prison.

On Thursday, the United States sanctioned Iran’s Ghezel Hesar Prison, where hundreds of dissidents have faced torture and execution over the years.

“This prison saw severe human rights abuses, including cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of individuals in Iran who tried to exercise their right to free expression,” said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday.

Earlier this year, the United States also sanctioned officials from Iran’s Prisons Organization for their role in suppressing protests after Mahsa Amini’s death in custody in September 2022.