Iran's Brutal Reality: The Execution Of Gay Men

Eveline McDermott 22 Jun 2025

The grim reality of human rights in Iran continues to cast a long shadow, particularly for its LGBTQ+ community. Recent reports have brought to light the deeply disturbing practice of executing individuals based on charges related to their sexual orientation, highlighting a systemic violation of fundamental human rights. This article delves into the specifics of these cases, the legal framework in Iran that enables such atrocities, and the international outcry against these inhumane practices.

For years, human rights organizations have sounded the alarm about the perilous situation faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in Iran. The nation stands as one of the most repressive places globally for this community, where homosexuality is not only illegal but can carry the harshest penalty imaginable: death. Understanding the full scope of this issue requires a close examination of the laws, the reported incidents, and the unwavering calls from the international community for justice and reform.

The Alarming Reality of Executions in Iran
The Legal Framework: Homosexuality as a Capital Crime
- The Ambiguity of "Sodomy" Charges
Specific Cases: Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi
Beyond Sodomy: Broader Charges and Persecution
- "Corruption on Earth": A Catch-All Charge
A History of Repression: From 1979 to Present
International Condemnation and Human Rights Violations
- The Role of Human Rights Organizations
The Global Context: Where Homosexuality is Penalized by Death
The Broader Implications for Human Rights

The Alarming Reality of Executions in Iran

Iran consistently ranks among the world’s top executioners. While the state often cites charges such as murder, armed robbery, and drug offenses, a chilling aspect of its judicial system is the application of the death penalty for what are considered moral or sexual crimes. The recent reports of two gay men being executed on charges of sodomy, after spending six years on death row, serve as a stark reminder of the severe penalties faced by individuals whose private lives deviate from the state's strict interpretations of Islamic law. These executions are not isolated incidents but rather a continuation of a deeply troubling pattern that has persisted for decades. The method of execution is typically hanging, a practice that adds to the harrowing nature of these state-sanctioned killings. The international community, including human rights groups, has repeatedly condemned Iran's extensive use of capital punishment, especially when it targets vulnerable populations or is applied for non-violent offenses.

The Legal Framework: Homosexuality as a Capital Crime

Under Iranian law, homosexuality is explicitly illegal. The legal system, based on Sharia law, considers acts of sodomy, rape, adultery, armed robbery, and murder as capital offenses. For the LGBT community, this legal framework creates an environment of constant fear and persecution. The classification of consensual same-sex acts as "sodomy" carries the ultimate penalty, effectively criminalizing an individual's sexual orientation. This legal interpretation stands in stark contrast to international human rights norms, which advocate for the protection of individuals from discrimination and violence based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. The state's defense of such policies, as seen when Iran's foreign minister defended the policy of execution for homosexuality, underscores the deeply entrenched nature of these discriminatory laws within the country's governance.

The Ambiguity of "Sodomy" Charges

The term "sodomy" in Iranian law is broad and often used to encompass various consensual same-sex acts. The vagueness surrounding such charges allows for wide interpretation and, critically, leaves individuals vulnerable to arbitrary arrests and convictions. The men who were executed, Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi, were reportedly arrested on charges of "forcible sodomy," a detail that adds another layer of complexity and raises questions about the circumstances of their arrest and conviction. Human rights organizations often highlight how such charges can be used to target individuals, with due process frequently compromised in these cases. The lack of transparency and independent oversight in the judicial process further exacerbates the risks for those accused of such crimes.

Specific Cases: Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi

The cases of Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi serve as a tragic illustration of the severe consequences faced by gay men in Iran. Both men were reportedly arrested on charges of sodomy and spent a harrowing six years on death row before their execution. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, reported that they were hanged in a prison in the northwestern city of Maragheh. Their story is a powerful testament to the long and agonizing wait that many prisoners endure under the shadow of the death penalty in Iran. The specific details surrounding their arrest and trial remain largely obscured, but the outcome – their execution – is a clear violation of their most basic human rights, specifically the right to life and freedom from discrimination. The international outcry following their deaths underscores the global condemnation of such state-sanctioned violence against individuals based on their sexuality.

Beyond Sodomy: Broader Charges and Persecution

While "sodomy" is a direct charge used against gay men, the Iranian authorities also employ broader, often ambiguous charges to target LGBT activists and individuals. Rights groups have reported cases where LGBT activists are sentenced to death under charges that seem unrelated to specific sexual acts but are nonetheless used to suppress dissent and enforce moral codes. This expands the scope of persecution beyond direct sexual acts, encompassing advocacy and even perceived moral deviance.

"Corruption on Earth": A Catch-All Charge

A particularly concerning charge used against activists is "corruption on earth" (Mofsed-e-filarz). This vague but severe charge carries the death penalty and has been used against various dissidents and activists, including those advocating for LGBT rights. For instance, a court in Urmia found Zahra Seddiqi Hamedani, 31, and Elham Choubdar, 24, guilty of "corruption on earth." While the specific details of their alleged offenses are often murky, the application of such a broad charge against LGBT activists highlights the Iranian state's willingness to use any means necessary to silence and punish those who challenge its conservative norms. These charges are often criticized by human rights organizations as tools to suppress fundamental freedoms of expression and association.

A History of Repression: From 1979 to Present

The persecution of LGBT individuals in Iran is not a new phenomenon. It dates back to the Islamic Revolution in 1979, which ushered in a more conservative interpretation of law and morality. Reports suggest a horrifying scale of executions, with estimates indicating that between 4,000 to 6,000 gays and lesbians were executed between the start of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. This chilling statistic underscores the systematic and prolonged nature of the state-sponsored violence against the LGBT community. The last widely reported executions for the stated crime of homosexuality in Iran were in 2005, when the state hanged two teenage boys. These historical instances, coupled with recent events like the executions of Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi, paint a grim picture of continuous repression and violence, demonstrating that the threat of death for simply being gay has been a constant shadow over the lives of LGBT Iranians for decades.

International Condemnation and Human Rights Violations

The executions of individuals based on their sexuality are a clear violation of the most basic human rights, including the right to life, non-discrimination, and freedom from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The international community has consistently condemned Iran's practices. The United States and Germany, among other nations, have voiced strong condemnation after Iran's foreign minister publicly defended the policy of execution for homosexuality. This issue often erupts into diplomatic tension, highlighting the vast ideological chasm between Iran's legal framework and international human rights standards. Demonstrations against Iran's violation of gay rights, such as those during the Christopher Street Day parade, serve as powerful public expressions of global outrage and solidarity with the persecuted LGBT community in Iran.

The Role of Human Rights Organizations

Organizations like Amnesty International and the Peter Tatchell Foundation play a crucial role in documenting these abuses and advocating for change. Peter Tatchell, director at the Peter Tatchell Foundation, has been a vocal critic of Iran's human rights record, particularly concerning LGBT rights. These groups work tirelessly to bring attention to individual cases, lobby governments, and push for international pressure on Iran to reform its laws and cease these egregious violations. Their reports and advocacy are vital in ensuring that the stories of those like Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi are not forgotten and that the world remains aware of the ongoing persecution.

The Global Context: Where Homosexuality is Penalized by Death

Iran is not alone in criminalizing homosexuality, but it is one of a small number of countries that penalize it with the death penalty. Currently, Iran is one of seven countries with laws that prescribe capital punishment for homosexual acts. This places Iran in a category of nations with the most severe legal frameworks against LGBT individuals, making it an outlier in a world where many countries are moving towards decriminalization and protection of LGBT rights. The continued existence of such laws in the 21st century is a grave concern for human rights advocates worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for global efforts to challenge and dismantle these discriminatory legal systems.

The Broader Implications for Human Rights

The executions of gay men in Iran extend far beyond the individual tragedies; they represent a profound challenge to the universality of human rights. When a state systematically denies the right to life based on sexual orientation, it undermines the very foundation of international human rights law. These actions foster an environment of fear, forcing LGBT individuals to live in hiding, denying them their fundamental freedoms, and perpetuating a cycle of discrimination and violence. The calls for human rights, as expressed by various groups and nations, are not merely political statements but urgent pleas for the recognition of inherent dignity and equality for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. The tragic hangings in Iran serve as a stark reminder that the fight for human rights is far from over and requires continuous vigilance and advocacy from the global community.

The stories of those who have been executed, like Mehrdad Karimpour and Farid Mohammadi, must serve as a catalyst for renewed global action. It is imperative that international bodies, governments, and civil society organizations continue to exert pressure on Iran to abolish these discriminatory laws and uphold its international human rights obligations. The path to peace and justice for Iran's LGBT community is long, but it begins with acknowledging the brutal reality they face and demanding an end to the executions of gay men. Share this article to raise awareness and join the global chorus demanding human rights for all.

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