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The number of executions in Iran is increasing, says "Amnesty".

2024-04-04 11:59:00, Kosova & Bota CNA
The number of executions in Iran is increasing, says "Amnesty".
Illustrative photo

The number of executions in Iran has seen a dramatic increase in 2023, according to Amnesty International, which said half of those executed were convicted on drug-related charges.

According to the human rights group, this highlights "the disproportionate impact of the authorities' deadly anti-narcotics policies on poor and marginalized communities".

Amnesty said in a report published on April 4 that Iran carried out 853 executions last year. At least 481 of those executed were convicted of narcotics.

"The death penalty is abhorrent in all circumstances, but using it at a high rate for drug-related convictions after grossly unfair trials before the Revolutionary Courts is a grotesque abuse of office," said Diana Eltahawy, deputy director. Amnesty's regional office for the Middle East and North Africa.

"Amnesty" has also accused the Iranian Government of "weaponizing the death penalty", to attack "protesters, dissidents and members of oppressed ethnic minorities".

She called for a "strong global response" to pressure Tehran to temporarily suspend the death penalty.

After a wave of national protests hit the country in the second half of 2022, "Amnesty" wrote: "The Iranian authorities increased the use of the death penalty as a weapon to suppress dissidents."

The number of executions in Iran in 2023 was the highest since 2015 and 172 percent higher than in 2021, when Ebrahim Raisi became president and Gholamhossein Ejei was appointed head of the judiciary, Amnesty said in the report.

The Iranian government does not release official figures on the number of executions, but Amnesty worked with Iranian human rights groups to document the cases using open sources such as state media and human rights organizations.

At least 95 executions were reported in 2024 in Iran through March 20, the human rights group said, adding it believed the true number was higher. /REL 





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