Human Rights Organization Reports 237 Executions in Iran Over Five Months

The Iran Human Rights Organization has reported that 237 individuals were executed in the prisons of the Islamic Republic during the first five months of the current year, including 10 women. It added that at least 64 of these individuals were executed last month, May. According to the report, 14 were executed on charges of 'moharebeh' (waging war against God), and the charges for 138 of the executed were related to drug offenses. The report states that at least 31 Baluch citizens, 14 Kurdish citizens, and 13 Afghan nationals were among those executed in the past five months. The number of women executed has increased by 67% compared to the same period last year. In the first five months of 2023 (from January 1 to June 1), six women were executed, while this figure rose to 10 in the same period this year, with most women executed on drug-related charges. The statistics show a 32% decrease in executions compared to the same period last year. Executions were temporarily halted ahead of the twelfth round of parliamentary elections and following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi. Several political activists imprisoned in the Islamic Republic have been on hunger strike every Tuesday for about 19 weeks in protest against execution sentences, continuing the 'No to Execution' campaign. Widespread protests against the death penalty in Iran occur as the Islamic Republic has intensified issuing death sentences for political prisoners and protesters, with some at risk of execution. Previously, Amnesty International reported that a 48% increase in executions in Iran contributed to a rise in global statistics. The U.S. State Department has condemned the rising trend of executions in Iran and stated that the United States will continue to work with allies and partners to support the Iranian people facing relentless human rights violations by the Islamic Republic. The death sentence of Mohammad Javad Vafaee has been revoked for the second time. Six political prisoners in Evin prison are in limbo on charges of 'baghi' (rebellion). The political prisoner Mojahid Korkor, sentenced to death, has returned from solitary confinement to quarantine; the threat of execution has not been lifted. Eight prisoners at risk of execution in Qezel Hesar prison have joined the 'No to Execution' campaign.