Iran’s Escalating Use of the Death Penalty: A Crisis of Justice and Human Rights (2025 Update)
Recent data and ongoing investigations reveal a deeply alarming trend: Iran is dramatically increasing its use of the death penalty, fueled by politically motivated charges, flawed legal processes, and escalating regional tensions. As a leading human rights organization monitoring the situation on the ground, Amnesty International has documented a surge in executions, raising serious concerns about due process, fair trials, and the targeting of vulnerable populations. This report details the key findings, highlighting the urgent need for international scrutiny and action.
A Systemic Failure of Justice
The core of the problem lies within Iran’s judicial system, especially the Revolutionary Courts. these courts, handling cases related to national security and drug offenses, consistently fail to meet international standards for fair trial.
* Lack of Independence: revolutionary Courts operate without genuine independence, susceptible to political influence and pressure.
* Unfair Trials: Defendants are routinely denied fundamental rights, including access to legal counsel, adequate investigation of allegations (like torture), and the ability to present a meaningful defense.
* Vague Charges: Individuals are frequently convicted based on broadly defined offenses like “enmity against God” (moharebeh),”corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz),and “armed rebellion” (baghi),leaving room for arbitrary application of the law.
The case of Babak Shahbazi, arbitrarily executed in September 2025 after a trial where torture allegations were ignored, exemplifies this systemic injustice.
Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Groups
The death penalty in Iran isn’t applied equally. Marginalized minorities bear a disproportionate burden, facing heightened risk of execution.
* Ethnic Minorities: Afghan, Baluchi, and Kurdish communities are consistently overrepresented in execution statistics. Currently, Kurdish women like humanitarian aid worker Pakhshan Azizi and dissident Verisheh Moradi are facing imminent execution.
* Afghan Nationals: The number of Afghans executed by Iranian authorities more than tripled between 2023 and 2024 (from 25 to 80), continuing into 2025. This surge coincides with increasingly xenophobic rhetoric from Iranian officials and a wave of forced mass expulsions, even targeting Afghans born and raised in Iran.
* Drug-Related Offenses: Despite international law prohibiting the death penalty for drug crimes, Iran continues to execute individuals for these offenses, a practice that began escalating in 2021 and persists today.
Escalating Tensions & Politically Motivated Executions
The recent escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran has exacerbated the situation,leading to a risky push for expedited trials and executions.
* Calls for Expedited Justice: Senior officials, including the Head of Judiciary Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje’i, have demanded swift trials and executions for those accused of “supporting” or “collaborating” with opposed states, particularly Israel.
* Expanded Death Penalty Legislation: Iran’s Parliament is considering legislation that would broaden the application of the death penalty to include vaguely defined national security charges like “cooperation with hostile governments” and “espionage.”
* Recent Executions: Since June 13,2025,at least ten men have been executed on politically motivated charges,with at least eight accused of espionage for Israel.
High-Profile Cases & Individuals at Risk
Numerous individuals are currently at risk of execution, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
* Ahmadreza Djalali: A Swedish-iranian academic, remains on death row, accused of espionage.
* Sharifeh Mohammadi: A women’s and workers’ rights defender, had her death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court in August 2025.
* Scores of Others: Amnesty International has documented numerous other individuals facing similar politically motivated charges and the threat of execution.
Amnesty International’s Position
Amnesty International unequivocally opposes the death penalty in all cases. It is a cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment that violates the fundamental right to life, as enshrined in the Worldwide Declaration of Human Rights.
The Path Forward
The escalating use of the death penalty in Iran demands immediate international attention. key steps include:
* Self-reliant Investigations: Thorough and impartial investigations into allegations of torture and unfair trials.
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