Hengaw: At Least 122 Prisoners Executed in Iranian Prisons Last Month

The human rights organization Hengaw has reported that at least 122 executions took place in Iran last month, marking an increase of over 50% compared to the previous month. In a report published on Saturday, December 2, Hengaw compared the 122 executions in November with the 78 executions in October, indicating a growth of 56.5% in the number of executions last month. According to Hengaw, nearly half of the executed individuals were convicted of drug-related offenses. The report also states that at least 11 political and religious prisoners, 2 juvenile offenders, and 2 women were among those executed in November. The rising number of executions in Iran has faced criticism from human rights organizations, the United Nations, and various countries. On Friday, December 1, the European Union issued a statement calling the current pace of executions in Iran—at least 600 since the beginning of this year—'horrific' and demanded an end to this 'cruel and inhumane' punishment. Additionally, Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, had previously urged the Iranian government to refrain from using punitive measures against political activists and protesters in peaceful gatherings. Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights, recently called for breaking the silence of the international community, especially European countries, regarding the 'indiscriminate executions of more than three people per day by the Islamic Republic.' The continuation of executions in Iran, despite international criticism, has been highlighted in discussions with Shiva Mahbubi. Another executed individual was a detainee from the 2019 protests and a former political prisoner. Ayoub Karimi and 6 other prisoners were executed in Qezel Hessar, and Hani Albooshahbazi was executed in Sepidar prison in Ahvaz. The UN Human Rights Office condemned the execution of a 17-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man in Iran.