In 2024, Iran executed at least 901 individuals, including 31 women, marking the highest number of executions in nine years, according to a report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights published on January 7, 2025.
The report indicates that around 40 executions occurred in the last week of December alone. UN High Commissioner Volker Turk expressed concern over the rising execution rates, which increased from 853 in 2023.
Turk emphasized the need for Iran to halt the growing trend of executions, stating, "It is time for Iran to stop this increasing wave of executions." He highlighted that most of those executed were convicted of drug-related offenses, but others included dissidents and individuals linked to the protests that erupted in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.
The Iranian authorities have been criticized for brutally suppressing protests, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests. Turk's report urged Tehran to cease all future executions, citing violations of the fundamental right to life and the unacceptable risk of executing innocent individuals.
UN spokesperson Liz Throssell noted that the number of women executed in Iran is the highest in at least 15 years, with many cases involving accusations of murder linked to domestic violence, child marriage, or forced marriage. One case involved a woman who killed her husband to protect her daughter from potential rape.
Iran's conservative Islamic regime has a long history of human rights violations, particularly against women and girls. Despite promises from newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian in July to better protect the rights of women and minorities, many human rights advocates and international observers remain skeptical about meaningful changes.