Amnesty International: Executions in Iran Halved but Account for One Third of Global Figures

In its latest report, Amnesty International states that Iran remains a country where the death penalty is prevalent, but the adjustment of drug-related penalties has led to a "surprisingly 50% reduction" in the number of executions. The human rights organization emphasized that death sentences in Iran are still issued "following trials devoid of justice." Iran, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Iraq are among the countries where the death penalty is carried out, following China. The exact number of executions in China is unclear, but it is estimated that "thousands" of such sentences were executed last year. After China, Iran ranks second with at least 253 recorded executions. Following Iran are Saudi Arabia with 149 executions, Vietnam with at least 85, and Iraq with at least 52. The number of recorded executions in Iran in 2017 was at least 507; according to Amnesty International's report last year, more than half of all recorded executions in the world (excluding China) were carried out in Iran. This represents an 11% decrease compared to 2016, but the figures remain high compared to other countries. Amnesty International states that in 2018, "despite a significant reduction in the number of executions, Iran still accounted for at least one third of all executions (excluding China)." Among the 253 executions recorded by Amnesty International in Iran, 160 were sentenced to qisas (retribution) for murder, of which 155 were men and five were women. Eighteen executions were carried out on charges of "moharebeh" (waging war against God), six of which were related to "political activities." According to Amnesty International, some of the "moharebeh" sentences were issued for Kurdish citizens; however, the court proceedings were described by the organization as "horribly unjust," with defendants lacking access to legal counsel and claiming they confessed under torture. In September 2018, three Kurdish prisoners, Zanyar Moradi, Luqman Moradi, and Ramin Hossein Panahi, were executed. These sentences were carried out despite calls for a halt from Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, and Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings. Zanyar Moradi and Luqman Moradi were charged with "moharebeh and the murder of the son of the Imam Jom'e of Marivan," while Ramin Hossein Panahi was arrested for membership in the "Komala Party" and "baghi" (armed rebellion against the Islamic government). However, UN reporters stated that the sentences were issued without fair trials. Other executions included 14 for "corruption on earth," 28 for "rape," and 25 related to drug trafficking. Amnesty International reports that at least 13 executions by hanging were carried out publicly. One execution mentioned by the organization pertains to Zeynab Sakanvand, who was accused of murdering her husband and was executed in October of the previous year. Amnesty International stated at the time that she was a minor at the time of the crime and "was tried without legal representation, and the case was based on confessions obtained without the presence of a defense attorney." The organization claims Sakanvand was tortured by security forces for 20 days. Amnesty International previously stated that Sakanvand claimed she had been physically and verbally abused by her husband for months before the murder, and he refused to agree to a divorce. During her trial, Sakanvand stated that her husband's brother had raped her and that she killed her husband. Amnesty International added that the court did not conduct specific investigations into this matter and relied solely on the initial confessions. Iran has not yet responded to Amnesty International's latest report. However, in previous instances, it has accused human rights reports, including those from the United Nations, of pursuing "double standards and political deception" or "discrimination" and "political and selective treatment." According to the human rights organization, the number of executions worldwide decreased by one third in 2018 compared to the previous year, reaching the lowest level in at least a decade. In addition to Iran, the number of recorded executions in Pakistan, Iraq, and Somalia also saw a "significant decrease," resulting in at least 690 executions (excluding China) in 2018. In 2017, at least 993 death sentences were executed in countries worldwide, excluding China. Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General of Amnesty International, stated that "the significant decrease in executions is evidence that even countries that generally do not show a willingness to change have begun to realize that the death penalty is not the solution." Amnesty International notes that in several countries, the number of executions has increased, including Belarus, the United States, Japan, and Singapore. Thailand has reinstated the death penalty in its laws, and Sri Lanka has threatened to do the same.