UN human rights experts have said they are appalled by a 'dramatic escalation' in the number of executions in Iran, with more than 1,000 people killed during the first nine months of 2025.
'The sheer scale of executions in Iran is staggering and represents a grave violation of the right to life,' the five special rapporteurs warned in a joint statement.
They noted that half of the known executions were for drug-related offenses and that nine hangings per day on average have been documented in recent weeks.
There was no immediate comment from Iran. But the government has previously defended its use of the death penalty, stating it is limited to only 'the most severe crimes.'
The situation aligns with Iran's recent claim of executing an individual accused of espionage for Israel, bringing further attention to its increasing use of capital punishment. This execution, along with many others, has raised questions regarding fair trial standards and allegations of torture within the Iranian judicial system.
Both Amnesty International and Iran Human Rights indicated that the 2025 executions already surpass last year's total, underscoring the authoritarian regime's alarming trend towards capital punishment.
International law restricts capital punishment to the 'most serious crimes,' which UN experts have pointed out do not include drug offenses. They urge the global community to take concrete diplomatic actions to pressure Iran into halting its execution spree, citing a need for systemic reforms to protect human rights within the nation.
