The Islamic Republic Begins the New Year with Executions; Human Rights Organizations Report High Execution Rates from Last Year

The Chief Justice of Alborz Province announced the execution of five "non-local thieves" involved in 14 cases of "armed robbery" across various provinces of the country early this morning, January 1st. Hossein Fazeli Harekandi stated that this group, in addition to four cases of "armed robbery" of livestock, committed other crimes including 14 cases of "armed robbery" using various cold and hot weapons, including "Kalashnikovs," targeting trucks and trailers carrying steel beams and rebar on the roads of the country. On Sunday, January 10th, news sources reported the execution of seven citizens in Iranian prisons on charges including drug trafficking. In this context, the Hengaw Human Rights Organization reported on the human rights situation in Iran in 2023, stating that the Islamic Republic has detained at least 2,342 citizens and executed at least 823 prisoners over the past year. Hengaw added that during 2023, the government's violent crackdown on protesters continued, with 21 political activists and protesting citizens sentenced to a total of 2,094 years and 8 months of imprisonment, 94 years of suspended sentences, and 2,547 lashes. According to this data, 34 prisoners have died in Iranian prisons, 11 of whom died under torture, while 7 others died due to lack of medical care, delays in transfer to medical facilities, poisoning, suicide, or clashes with other prisoners. The report indicated that among the executed prisoners, 31 were charged with political and religious activities and participation in protests and nationwide movements in 2022 and November 2019, and the death sentences of at least 22 women and 5 child offenders, who committed crimes under the age of 18, were carried out in the Islamic Republic's prisons. Of the total 2,342 detainees, 323 were women, 63 were teachers and university professors, 45 were students, and 109 were members of the families of victims seeking justice. According to Hengaw's recorded statistics, at least 122 women were murdered across Iran in 2023, 39 of which, equivalent to 32%, were classified as "honor killings." Most of the femicides occurred in Tehran, Alborz, West Azerbaijan, Kermanshah, and Fars provinces, with the majority of women killed by husbands, ex-husbands, fathers, brothers, or other close family members. Additionally, Hengaw reported that in the past year, 333 border couriers were killed or injured, and 27 citizens fell victim to landmine and explosive device explosions. The Hengaw organization described the high rate of human rights violations in Iran as indicative of a critical situation in the country, stating: "The execution of a large number of prisoners, arbitrary detentions, and increased violence against vulnerable groups including border couriers and civil activists presents a shocking picture of widespread human rights violations under the guise of the Islamic Republic. Furthermore, ethnic and religious discrimination and targeting of political and civil activists 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. Executions of prisoners in Iran for various crimes have intensified in recent months, accompanied by significant domestic and international criticism. The recent execution of four prisoners on unproven charges of "espionage for Israel" drew a response from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The UN Human Rights Office announced on Friday, January 8th, that Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, described the execution of three men and one woman in Iran without a fair trial regarding alleged "espionage" charges as deplorable. According to the Human Rights Office, Volker Turk called for an "immediate halt" to further executions and an "official end to the implementation of death sentences" in Iran. On January 6th, following reports about the confirmation of death sentences for Mojahid Korkor and Reza Rasai in the Supreme Court of the Islamic Republic, a human rights organization called for global action to stop the executions of protesters in Iran. The website Hrana, the news agency of human rights activists in Iran, also reported a few days ago that in 2023, 155 people were sentenced to death and 746 death sentences were executed. It was reported that among the specified genders of those executed, 597 were men and 20 were women. According to information collected by Hrana, there were also 2 individuals among the executed who were under 18 years of age at the time of the alleged crime and are legally referred to as child offenders. The Hengaw report on the human rights situation in Iran in 2023 highlighted the detention of over 2,300 citizens and the execution of at least 823 prisoners. Davood Abdollahi's hunger strike in Ghezal Hesar prison in Karaj; he has been sentenced to death. The case of another protester has been sent to "execution orders"; Mojahid Korkor is at "risk of execution." The judiciary of the Islamic Republic sentenced four Baha'i women to about 15 years in prison. A warning about the "imminent execution" of a protester; Reza Rasai's case has been sent to "execution orders." The execution machine in the Islamic Republic continues to operate; at least 7 more citizens have been executed. The Iran Human Rights Organization: two Afghan prisoners were executed in Karaj Central Prison. The UN's reaction to the executions in Iran: it is deplorable and must be stopped immediately. The Islamic Republic executed four individuals on charges of "intelligence cooperation" with Israel. Exclusive: Zartosht Ahmadinejad went on hunger strike in protest against "repeated case-making" in prison. A phone call from Johan Flodros, a Swedish citizen imprisoned, after a 72-hour hunger strike.