Reactions to the Order to Halt Executions of Drug Offenders in Iran

A number of human rights defenders have reacted to the head of the judiciary's order to halt the death sentences for drug offenders, describing it as a "first step" towards potentially reducing the high number of executions in Iran. Recently, a directive from the head of the judiciary of Iran regarding the suspension of death sentences for drug offenders was published in the media. Sadegh Larijani has called for a review of drug-related cases. Last autumn, the Islamic Consultative Assembly added a clause to the 1988 Anti-Narcotics Law, replacing some death sentences with prison terms and fines. It seems that the recent directive from the head of the judiciary is also related to the recent actions of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Larijani's directive has received reactions over the past two days. Mahmoud Amiri Moghaddam, head of the Norway-based Iran Human Rights Organization, told Radio Farda, "If this law is implemented correctly, it will be one of the biggest positive steps in limiting sentences in Iran." However, Amiri Moghaddam added that there are ambiguous points in this directive: "It seems that death row inmates themselves must take action and appeal... This is concerning for us because most of those sentenced for drug offenses come from the weakest segments of society and are not very aware of their rights." The Iran Human Rights Campaign, in a statement, referred to thousands of death sentences related to drug offenses and the possibility of their suspension, stating, "Iran has taken a positive first step." Amnesty International also issued a statement on January 10, saying, "Iranian authorities have executed thousands for drug-related offenses; sentences that have been carried out in violation of international law. International laws call for the death penalty only for the most serious crimes." The organization added, "However, if [the recent directive] is implemented correctly, hundreds of people will be saved from execution. Although this is just a beginning. Iranian authorities must cease executing sentences for drug-related offenses and consider a potential halt to the death penalty for other crimes in the future." According to estimates from Iranian officials, there are currently five thousand prisoners sentenced to death for drug offenses. Yahya Kamalipour, deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament, told the ISNA news agency last November that with the implementation of recent reforms, "four thousand people will be saved from execution." Iran ranks at the top of the list of countries in terms of the percentage of death penalty executions. In September 2016, a senior judiciary official stated that "about 93% of executions in Iran are related to drug offenses." Various studies and research have been published in reputable research institutes and universities regarding the death penalty and its impact on reducing drug trafficking. Saleh Nikbakht, an Iranian lawyer, told the Tehran-based newspaper Etemad on Wednesday that in Iran, "The number of drug offenders has not decreased with the intensification of punishments; rather, it has increased day by day. This shows that merely intensifying punishments, even to the extreme of the death penalty, is not a solution to combat crimes." Nikbakht also said that the new amendments and directives should be "taken positively" while adding, "The best way is to find solutions to combat the root causes of the increase in drug offenses." Research published in the Independent newspaper indicates that substances such as "Krokodil" in Russia, "Vonga"; a mixture of HIV medications, "bath salts"; a type of mephedrone, "Flakka"; a substance similar to amphetamines, and "ice" and crack cocaine, are among the "most dangerous" drugs used worldwide.