The United Nations has sharply condemned Iran's intensifying use of capital punishment, stating that at least 56 people have been executed on national security charges since March. UN human rights chief Volker Türk described the practice as "deeply troubling" and noted that such actions have "no place in our world."
According to UN reports, 27 of the individuals executed were linked to widespread protests that began in January. Approximately 100 more people are believed to be awaiting execution on similar charges. The UN indicated that these executions are part of a broader strategy by the Iranian regime to suppress dissent and instill fear among the population, particularly as the country faces ongoing conflict.
Türk also raised significant concerns regarding the fairness of the judicial process leading to these executions. He stated that trials and due process are often minimal, with some defendants reportedly sentenced to death after very brief, closed-door hearings. One instance cited involved 12 defendants being sentenced following a single three-hour hearing.
Iran has a history of high execution rates, making it the second-most prolific country in the world for capital punishment. In 2026, Amnesty International reported 2,159 executions in Iran, the highest number since 1981, occurring during a period of significant public dissent.
The UN cautioned that Iran appears to be using public executions to manage public fear during the current war. Recent executions include a 19-year-old charged with "enmity against god" for alleged participation in the January protests, along with two other individuals arrested during the same demonstrations. In July, two people were executed as part of a group of 12 convicted of "corruption on Earth" and "enmity against God" in connection with the deaths of four police officers in January. These individuals were tried as a group, with concerns raised about the lack of clarity on individual responsibility in their sentencing.