A coalition of notable Belgian figures has condemned Iran’s rising use of executions as a tool to silence dissent and spread fear. Citing Amnesty International, they emphasized that “Iran accounted for 74% of all recorded executions worldwide in 2023.” The group noted a sharp increase in executions since President Masoud Pezeshkian’s tenure began, with over 100 prisoners, including political dissidents like Reza Rasaei, executed in August 2024 alone.

The statement, signed by prominent Belgian political figures, underscores its gravity. Among the signatories are a former Prime Minister, leaders of major political parties, nine parliamentary faction heads, and Chairs of key parliamentary committees, showing broad political agreement against Iran’s human rights abuses.

It references findings from the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFMI) on Iran, which classified many executions as crimes against humanity. The statement also draws on a report by ex-UN Special Rapporteur Professor Javaid Rehman linking the regime’s actions to genocide and atrocities against specific groups.

The authors criticize the global community’s failure to address Iran’s long-standing human rights violations, emboldening the regime. They highlight growing resistance, including political prisoners striking in Iran and rising international support for Maryam Rajavi’s Ten-Point Plan to abolish the death penalty.

Below is the press release from prominent Belgian figures: