The U.S. Condemns Iran's Increasing Use of Executions to Suppress Its People

The U.S. Department of State condemned the "increasing use of the Iranian regime of executions to suppress its people." On Monday, January 13, the department emphasized its continued support for the people of Iran in the face of the "relentless violation of human rights" by the Islamic Republic on its official Persian page on the social media platform "X." The U.S. Department of State stated, "For more than 40 years, Iranians have endured sham trials behind closed doors and the regime's harsh punishments. We stand with the people of Iran and will continue to work with our allies and partners to support them in facing the regime's relentless human rights violations." Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, on January 7, once again described the increase in the number of executions in Iran as "deeply concerning" and criticized the significant rise in this punishment over the past year. The UN High Commissioner’s office recently reported that at least 901 people were executed by the Islamic Republic in 2024. The number of executions in Iran in 2023 was reported to be at least 853. Despite repeated requests from domestic and international human rights organizations and countries like the U.S., as well as the launch of the extensive campaign "Tuesdays No to Execution" by hundreds of prisoners inside Iran to stop executions, the Islamic Republic continues to issue and carry out death sentences for defendants. Sepideh Gholian: The Islamic Republic has thrown a bloody scythe at the lives of prisoners. Statement from 68 human rights and women's organizations: The death sentence of Pakhshan Azizi should be revoked. About 70 political prisoners: The inhumane and reactionary punishment of death must be abolished. Letter from Reza Mohammad Hosseini from prison: Executions cannot silence voices.