The Iran Human Rights Monitor (Iran HRM) has recently reported that in July 2021 alone, at least 52 executions have taken place in Iran. This sharp increase following the presidential election in late June has taken the current total for 2021 to 192. Despite the vast number that have taken place, only five of these have been reported by the state media.

Iran HRM said, “The actual number of executions in Iran is much higher. The Iranian regime carries out most executions in secret and out of the public eye. No witnesses are present at the time of execution but those who carry them out.”

Of the 52 executions carried out in July, 2 people were executed for rape offences, 18 for drug-related offences and 30 were carried out for murder. It is not known the reason behind the execution of the final two prisoners.

The abundant use of capital punishment in Iran puts the country at the top of the list of the most prolific users in the Middle East, and worldwide, Iran comes second to China. The country is also one of the last countries around the world that use the death penalty to punish crimes committed by children under the age of 18. This is in complete violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

One of the prisoners executed last month was Ebrahim Shahbakhsh, a 23-year-old prisoner from Baluchi. He had been arrested for drug-related charges six years prior at the age of 17.

Iran HRM said, “Ebrahim Raisi has become president of Iran, even though his resume is filled with crimes against the Iranian people and humanity.”

His rise to power was heavily criticized following the announcement of his presidential appointment by Agnès Callamard, the Secretary-General for Amnesty International.

She spoke about how his ascension to the presidential role, instead of being put under investigation for his history of crimes against humanity is a grim reminder of just how deep immunity from prosecution runs through the regime.

Iran HRM said, “The Iranian government continues to implement death sentences against inmates who have been convicted on drug-related charges while relevant officials have frankly admitted that the executions are fruitless.”

The executions have been deemed ineffective in the issue of combatting the drug smuggling that is rife throughout Iran, and have instead brought about a reverse effect, an increase in drug-related offences.

In order to attempt to save the lives of Iranian prisoners currently waiting on death row, Iran HRM is calling on the international community, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Human Rights Council and other governing bodies who defend Human rights to take urgent action and help to save these people.

Iran HRM said, “The Iranian regime’s dossier of human rights violations must be referred to the UN Security Council. The leaders and officials of the clerical regime in Iran must face justice for four decades of committing crimes against humanity.”