Hengaw Report on Human Rights Situation in Iran in 2023: Over 2300 Citizens Arrested and at Least 823 Executions

The human rights organization Hengaw reported on the human rights situation in Iran for the year 2023, stating that the Islamic Republic has arrested at least 2342 citizens and executed at least 823 prisoners in the past year. In this report, published late on Sunday, Hengaw referenced statistics recorded in its database, adding that the government's violent crackdown on protesters has continued throughout 2023, resulting in 21 political activists and protesting citizens sentenced to death, and 547 activists collectively sentenced to 2094 years and 8 months of imprisonment, 94 years of suspended sentences, and 2547 lashes. According to these statistics, 34 prisoners have died in Iranian prisons, of which 11 died under torture, and 7 others died due to lack of medical care, delays in transferring to medical facilities, poisoning, suicide, and clashes with other prisoners. Hengaw reported that among the executed prisoners, 31 were executed for political and religious activities and participation in protests and the nationwide movement of 2022 and November 2019, and death sentences for at least 22 women and 5 juvenile offenders who committed crimes under the age of 18 have been carried out in the Islamic Republic's prisons. Of the total 2342 detainees, 323 were women, 63 were teachers and university professors, 45 were students, and 109 were family members of the victims. Additionally, at least 184 religious activists were arrested last year, 90 of whom were Baha'is, while others were Sunni Muslims from Kurdistan, Ahvaz, and Baluchistan, as well as several other Christian, Jewish, and Yarsani citizens. According to Hengaw's statistics, at least 547 political, civil, and religious activists have been sentenced to imprisonment, lashes, and social deprivation by the Islamic Republic's judiciary, with over 40 percent of them, equivalent to 216 cases, being Kurdish citizens, and 104 from Azerbaijani, Baluch, Arab, Lor Bakhtiari, and Gilaki backgrounds. Among religious minorities, the highest number of cases, 64, involved Baha'i citizens. Based on the statistics recorded by Hengaw, at least 122 women were murdered across Iran in 2023, with 39 of these cases, equivalent to 32 percent, categorized as 'honor killings.' According to Hengaw's statistics, most femicides occurred in Tehran, Alborz, West Azerbaijan, Kermanshah, and Fars provinces. Furthermore, most of the murdered women were killed by their husbands, ex-husbands, fathers, brothers, or other close family members. Additionally, according to Hengaw's provided statistics, in the past year, 333 Kolbers were killed or injured, and 27 citizens fell victim to landmine and explosive material explosions. Hengaw described the high rate of human rights violations in Iran as indicative of a critical situation in the country, stating: 'The execution of a high number of prisoners, arbitrary arrests, and increasing violence against vulnerable groups including Kolbers and civil activists present a shocking image of widespread human rights violations under the guise of the Islamic Republic. Moreover, ethnic and religious discrimination and targeting of political and civil activists also indicate a lack of justice and freedom of expression in Iran.' The organization also urged the international community and human rights defenders to increase their attention and pressure for fundamental reforms according to the doctrine of 'Responsibility to Protect' the rights of Iranian citizens.