UN report condemns surge in executions and repression in Iran

A new United Nations report has strongly criticized Iran for a dramatic increase in executions, systematic gender-based discrimination, and repression of minorities in 2024.

The report, presented by UN Special Rapporteur Mai Sato, revealed that Iran carried out over 900 executions last year – the highest number since 2015 – with women and ethnic minorities disproportionately affected.

“Iran remains the highest per capita user of the death penalty globally,” Sato said. “The lack of transparency surrounding Iran’s death penalty practices violates fundamental human rights principles, including the right to truth and due process.”

The report highlighted that over half of the executions were related to drug offenses, prohibited under international law, while others were linked to charges such as "premeditated murder" and vaguely defined national security offenses.

Executions of minors were also recorded, in violation of international human rights law. “Despite the absolute prohibition of the death penalty for minors under international law, Iran continues to sentence and execute individuals for crimes committed before they turned 18,” the report said.

New hijab law expands state control over women

Sato also raised concerns over the application of discriminatory legal frameworks, especially against women. While the failure to wear the hijab is already punishable with heavy penalties under the existing Islamic Penal Code, the new Law on Protecting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab, which was set to enter into force but still hasn't, marks a dramatic expansion in the state's regulation of personal dress codes.

The law imposes severe punishments, including prison terms of up to 15 years and, in extreme cases, capital charges for women deemed to be non-compliant.

“This law marks an unprecedented expansion of state control over women’s bodies and personal choices,” Sato warned.

Rise in femicide and 'honor killings'

The report also revealed that at least 179 femicides were reported in 2024, with many categorized as so-called “honor killings,” often carried out by male family members.

Sato criticized Iran’s legal system for enabling such violence, noting that “the differentiation between honor-related killings and other forms of murder creates a dangerous hierarchy of violence, effectively legitimizing lethal attacks on women.”

Minorities face disproportionate repression

Minority groups, including Kurds, Balochis, and Baha’is, faced disproportionate repression. Balochis, who make up around 2-4% of Iran's population, accounted for up to 13% of executions.

Sato said, “Documented patterns of discrimination within Iran’s criminal justice system raise serious concerns regarding the use of the death penalty against minority groups.”

The report further criticized Iran's crackdown on dissent, including the targeting of activists and journalists. Cases were highlighted where human rights defenders were detained, denied medical care, or sentenced to lengthy prison terms.

“Political prisoners are routinely denied medical care, effectively turning incarceration into a slow death sentence,” Sato said.