Judiciary Deputy: Executions of Drug Traffickers Have Not Been Deterrent

The Deputy for Social Affairs and Crime Prevention of the Judiciary stated that the execution of "drug traffickers" in Iran has not been deterrent. Mohammad Baqer Alfat mentioned this in an interview with the "Tasnim" news agency on Saturday, September 6, and noted that this information has also been communicated in writing to the head of the Judiciary. His statements are considered unusual within the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic, which has always been one of the main institutions supporting the death penalty in Iran. Alfat added that despite numerous legal actions taken, unfortunately, the volume of incoming drugs, the diversity of drugs, and the population involved have increased. This official stated that executing drug traffickers does not deliver a "fundamental blow" to the trafficking network, as "the main traffickers are not involved in the transportation of drug shipments." According to this judicial official, the main drug traffickers "usually provide drugs at a low cost to individuals who do not have sufficient financial means." Alfat further stated that "long-term punishments accompanied by hard labor for drug offenders" are more "effective" than executions. He mentioned that there are many opportunities for hard labor in places like large mines, road construction areas, wetlands, and deserts. Mohammad Baqer Alfat added that the Social Affairs and Crime Prevention Department has provided the results of its "research and studies" on this matter to the head of the Judiciary. These statements were made shortly before the execution of 12 inmates accused of drug trafficking on Saturday morning at the central prison of Karaj. The execution of these individuals took place while Ahmed Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur, had called for a halt to the execution of these 12 individuals on Friday. According to Reuters, around a thousand prisoners were executed in Iran in 2015, most of whom were charged with drug-related offenses. The execution rate in the Islamic Republic, when considering the country's population, is among the highest in the world. Mohammad Javad Larijani, the Secretary of the Human Rights Headquarters of the Iranian Judiciary, stated in 2015 that 90% of executions in Iran are related to drug offenses. According to Larijani, the death penalty for drug traffickers has not reduced the rate of crimes related to this area, and the death penalty policy for these individuals should be reconsidered. The Islamic Republic announced that in 2012, it seized 338 tons of opium, which accounted for about 72% of the global seizures of this narcotic. However, Iran has lost many of its military and security forces in border areas with Afghanistan and Pakistan in conflicts with drug traffickers. The United Nations, while criticizing the execution rates in Iran, has consistently praised the country's fight against drug traffickers.