Overshadowed by escalating conflict in the Middle East, Iran has intensified its use of capital punishment against political and human rights activists and opponents of the Islamic Republic’s Regime. On average, one person a day is executed in Iran on trumped up drug-related or vague religious infringement charges.
Since September 2022, after the murder of Mahsa Amini, people of all genders have been rising up against the regime in a movement called “Women. Life. Freedom.” Tens of thousands of people have been arrested and hundreds killed for taking part in the revolution, including human rights defenders, artists, writers, journalists and anyone daring to oppose the regime. This tactic has been used by the regime for years, and numerous activists, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, remain in prison facing inhumane treatment.
Now, under the shadow of growing war, the use of execution to silence dissent and spread fear has grown exponentially. According to Amnesty International, executions have risen to an eight year high.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi highlights: “The people of Iran want change. We demand change. In response, the regime is explicitly showing that it does not care about our most basic right – the right to life. It is using capital punishment as a political intimidation tool to spread fear, silence opposition and desperately hold on to power.”
A system of gender apartheid exists in Iran. As such, imprisonment, mistreatment and executions of those opposing the regime disproportionately and especially affect women. The regime's systemic violations and blatant disregard for human dignity and rights highlights the urgent need for an international response.
We, the undersigned, condemn the escalating executions in Iran and call on the international community to:
- Advocate for the Iranian government to stop detention, imprisonment and executions of activists and release political prisoners.
- Devise a comprehensive diplomatic strategy to compel the Iranian regime to cease severe human rights violations and gender persecution, including violent suppression of protests, through coordinated actions such as visa restrictions and foreign business investments for Iranian officials.
- Provide increased support for civil society movements, particularly women-led initiatives.
- The UN Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on Iran and the investigative fact-finding mission have to prioritize the incorporation of a gender lens in their continuous efforts to accurately reflect the extent of gender persecution and gender apartheid in Iran.
Signed by:
Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Tawakkol Karman, Nobel Peace Prize laureate
Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Prize laureate
If you'd like to add your name to the list of signatories, please email [email protected]
The image used to highlight this statement was taken by Shima Dinzade, photo available on pixabay.