**Iran's use of the death penalty is a deeply concerning issue, drawing widespread condemnation from human rights organizations globally. The question of how does Iran execute its prisoners reveals a complex and often brutal system, marked by a high volume of executions, a wide range of capital offenses, and a disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.** This article delves into the specifics of Iran's capital punishment practices, exploring the methods employed, the legal framework, the alarming statistics, and the human cost behind these executions, providing a comprehensive overview for the general reader. ## Table of Contents * [The Grim Reality: How Does Iran Execute Its Prisoners?](#the-grim-reality-how-does-iran-execute-its-prisoners) * [A Deep Dive into Iran's Execution Methods](#a-deep-dive-into-irans-execution-methods) * [Hanging: The Predominant Method](#hanging-the-predominant-method) * [Other Seldom-Used, Yet Prescribed, Methods](#other-seldom-used-yet-prescribed-methods) * [The Legal Framework and Capital Offenses in Iran](#the-legal-framework-and-capital-offenses-in-iran) * [Alarming Statistics: The Scale of Executions in Iran](#alarming-statistics-the-scale-of-executions-in-iran) * [Who Are The Victims? Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Groups](#who-are-the-victims-disproportionate-impact-on-vulnerable-groups) * [Juvenile Offenders: A Grave Violation of International Law](#juvenile-offenders-a-grave-violation-of-international-law) * [Women, Minorities, and Political Prisoners](#women-minorities-and-political-prisoners) * [The Execution Process and Conditions in Iranian Prisons](#the-execution-process-and-conditions-in-iranian-prisons) * [International Condemnation and Iran's Non-Compliance](#international-condemnation-and-irans-non-compliance) * [Cycles of Repression: The Death Penalty as a Political Tool](#cycles-of-represssion-the-death-penalty-as-a-political-tool) * [Conclusion](#conclusion) ## The Grim Reality: How Does Iran Execute Its Prisoners? Iran stands as one of the world's top executioners, consistently ranking among the highest in global statistics, second only to China. The question of how does Iran execute its prisoners is met with a chilling answer: primarily through hanging, though other methods are legally prescribed. This pervasive use of capital punishment is not merely a legal practice but, as human rights organizations argue, an instrument of political repression, deeply embedded in cycles of control that have marked the country's history since 1978. While hanging has been the main method of execution for years, and indeed the only method reportedly used between 2008 and 2020, the Iranian penal code outlines a broader, more archaic array of methods. These include firing squads, crucifixion, and even stoning. The sheer volume of executions, coupled with the varied and often brutal methods, paints a stark picture of the death penalty's role in Iran. The international community, human rights groups, and the families of those affected consistently call for an end to these practices, highlighting the profound human rights concerns. ## A Deep Dive into Iran's Execution Methods Understanding the specifics of how does Iran execute its prisoners requires a closer look at the various methods sanctioned by its legal system. While one method overwhelmingly dominates, the mere existence of others in the penal code underscores a broader approach to capital punishment. ### Hanging: The Predominant Method Hanging has unequivocally been the primary method of execution in Iran. For over a decade, specifically between 2008 and 2020, it was the *only* method reported to be in use. This method is often carried out in public, or within the confines of prisons, sometimes with little to no prior warning to the prisoners or their legal representatives. The graphic nature of public hangings serves as a stark warning, though its effectiveness in deterring crime is widely debated by experts. The consistent reliance on hanging as the default method highlights its deeply entrenched status within Iran's punitive system. ### Other Seldom-Used, Yet Prescribed, Methods Despite the prevalence of hanging, the Iranian penal code still prescribes other execution methods, revealing a comprehensive, albeit disturbing, legal framework for capital punishment. These include firing squads, crucifixion, and stoning. While less frequently employed, their legal standing remains a point of significant concern for human rights advocates. One notable instance of a firing squad execution occurred in 2020, when Hedayat Abdullahpour, a Kurdish political prisoner, was executed by this method. This case served as a stark reminder that while hanging is common, the state retains the right to use other, equally lethal, means. The inclusion of crucifixion and stoning in the penal code, though rarely, if ever, carried out in recent times, reflects a legal system that permits extreme forms of punishment, raising serious questions about its adherence to international human rights standards. The very possibility of these methods being used contributes to the climate of fear and uncertainty among prisoners and their families. ## The Legal Framework and Capital Offenses in Iran The Iranian legal system, based on Islamic Sharia law, prescribes the death penalty for a wide array of offenses, making it one of the countries with the broadest scope of capital crimes. This "long list of crimes punishable by death" extends far beyond what is considered "most serious crimes" under international law, which generally limits capital punishment to intentional killing. In Iran, capital offenses can range from drug-related charges to national security crimes, and even offenses deemed to "insult" religious figures or state institutions. For instance, Yousef Mehrdad and Seyed Sadrollah Fazeli Zare were executed in Arak prison following charges of "insulting the..." – highlighting the broad and often vague nature of some capital charges. The report by Iran Human Rights (IHR) and ECPM delves into the Islamic penal code and the specific offenses punishable by death, underscoring the legal basis for these executions. Furthermore, at least 31 people, including political dissidents, were reportedly executed for national security-related charges, illustrating how the death penalty is explicitly used as an "instrument of political repression." This means that the application of capital punishment often serves to silence dissent and consolidate state power, rather than solely to punish grave crimes. ## Alarming Statistics: The Scale of Executions in Iran The sheer volume of executions in Iran is profoundly alarming and consistently places the country among the world's leading executioners. The statistics reveal a grim upward trend, underscoring the severity of the situation. In the past year alone, the 17th annual report on the death penalty in Iran, published jointly by Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) and ECPM, revealed a horrifying escalation. The year 2024 witnessed at least 975 executions, marking a staggering 17% increase from the 834 recorded in 2023. This surge represents the highest number of recorded executions in recent memory, painting a dire picture of the human rights situation. In 2023, Iran put at least 314 prisoners to death, a figure second only to China, which recorded more than 1,000 executions. Looking at the broader historical context, the numbers are equally chilling. Since 2010, a staggering 7,052 people have reportedly been executed in Iran. Recent trends indicate an even more rapid acceleration. Human rights organizations reported a 75% increase in executions during the first four months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. This deeply disturbing surge was further highlighted on August 7, 2024, when the Islamic Republic was reported to have unlawfully executed at least 33 individuals in just 24 hours. These figures are not just numbers; they represent lives cut short, families devastated, and a persistent disregard for international human rights norms. ## Who Are The Victims? Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Groups The application of the death penalty in Iran is not uniformly distributed across the population. Instead, it disproportionately affects some of the most vulnerable groups, including juvenile offenders, women, and ethnic and political minorities. This selective application raises significant concerns about fairness, justice, and adherence to international human rights laws. ### Juvenile Offenders: A Grave Violation of International Law Perhaps one of the most egregious aspects of Iran's execution practices is its continued execution of juvenile offenders. Despite signing the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which prohibits the execution of individuals for crimes committed when they were under 18, Iran, according to human rights groups, holds the grim distinction of being the world's largest executioner of juvenile offenders. Since 2010, at least 68 minors have reportedly been executed, a clear breach of international law. United Nations experts on human rights in Iran, children’s rights, misuse of the death penalty, and torture have unequivocally stated, "Iran must halt the execution of Mr. Abdolali and unconditionally abolish the sentencing of children to death." They further urged Iran to "commute of all death sentences issued against these individuals, in line with its international" obligations. This persistent practice remains a major point of contention and international condemnation. ### Women, Minorities, and Political Prisoners Beyond juvenile offenders, other groups are also disproportionately targeted. Since 2010, 187 women have been executed, highlighting the gendered impact of capital punishment in Iran. Ethnic minorities also bear a heavy burden. Reports indicate that a disproportionate number of those executed are from Iran’s minorities, with at least 108 Baluch prisoners and 84 Kurdish prisoners among those executed last year alone. This suggests a pattern of systemic discrimination in the application of the death penalty. Political prisoners and dissidents are also frequent targets. The death penalty is openly used as a tool of political repression. The report mentioned that at least 31 people, including political dissidents, were executed for national security-related charges. Furthermore, individuals detained during demonstrations have also faced the death penalty, with the first prisoner from recent demonstrations executed last Thursday. Cases like Hedayat Abdullahpour, a Kurdish political prisoner executed by firing squad, and Yousef Mehrdad and Seyed Sadrollah Fazeli Zare, executed for charges of "insulting the...", underscore the regime's use of capital punishment to suppress any form of dissent or perceived threat to its authority. The practice of implementing death sentences as a punishment for protests organized by prisoners inside facilities further exemplifies this repressive approach. ## The Execution Process and Conditions in Iranian Prisons The process of execution in Iran, and the conditions within its prisons, contribute to a climate of fear and anxiety among inmates. Understanding how does Iran execute its prisoners also involves examining the procedural aspects and the environment in which these sentences are carried out. Many executions occur within the walls of Iran's state prisons. Ghezel Hesar, Iran's largest state prison, is a particularly stark example. With a reported 20,000 prisoners – four times its official capacity – it has become a hub for executions, with dozens of inmates executed there in June alone. Arak prison also saw the executions of Yousef Mehrdad and Seyed Sadrollah Fazeli Zare. Procedurally, while Article 43(h) of the regulations on carrying out executions states that the prisoner’s lawyer must be informed 48 hours prior to their execution, and Article 35 indicates the prisoner should also be informed, human rights reports frequently cite a lack of transparency and due process. In many cases, prisoners are not given adequate notice, or their lawyers are not properly informed, denying them crucial last opportunities for appeal or family visits. The lack of clarity around execution dates, visits prior to the execution date, and other critical information exacerbates the psychological torment for those on death row. A particularly disturbing aspect is the reported practice in some prisons where authorities carried out executions weekly, "without announcing which prisoners would be executed." This deliberate lack of transparency creates a pervasive "climate of anxiety" among the entire prison population, as inmates live in constant fear of being the next to be called for execution. Many prisoners who were executed in 2023 had been sitting on death row for several years, enduring prolonged periods of uncertainty and dread. This systemic uncertainty is a form of psychological torture, designed to break the spirits of inmates and deter any form of resistance. ## International Condemnation and Iran's Non-Compliance The international community has consistently and vociferously condemned Iran's extensive use of the death penalty, particularly its execution of juvenile offenders and its use as a tool of political repression. Despite this widespread criticism and its own international commitments, Iran largely remains non-compliant with global human rights standards. Iran has ratified several international treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which explicitly prohibits the execution of individuals for crimes committed before the age of 18. However, as noted, Iran is the world's largest executioner of juvenile offenders, a clear breach of this convention. When presented with recommendations from international bodies, Iran has shown minimal willingness to comply. The provided data indicates that Iran only supported one recommendation (on due process) and "partially" accepted two others (on execution of juvenile offenders). Crucially, "None of them can be considered implemented to date." This demonstrates a consistent pattern of disregard for international legal obligations and human rights norms. Human rights organizations, such as Iran Human Rights (IHR) and ECPM (Together Against the Death Penalty), are at the forefront of documenting these violations and advocating for change. Their annual reports provide critical data and analysis, exposing the scale and nature of executions in Iran. United Nations experts have also repeatedly called on Iran to halt executions, commute death sentences, and align its practices with international law. The global community continues to issue forceful warnings to Iran to "stop these unlawful hangings," yet the surge in executions indicates that these warnings are largely unheeded, highlighting the urgent need for more robust international pressure. ## Cycles of Repression: The Death Penalty as a Political Tool Beyond its stated purpose of punishing crime, the death penalty in Iran has a deeply entrenched role as a political instrument. Since 1978, Iran has experienced cycles of repression in which the application of the death penalty has always played a significant role. This historical pattern suggests that capital punishment is not merely a legal consequence but a strategic tool used by the state to maintain control, suppress dissent, and instill fear. The high number of executions for national security-related charges, and the targeting of political dissidents and protesters, clearly illustrate this political function. When individuals are executed for "insulting" the state or participating in demonstrations, it sends a powerful message to the wider population about the severe consequences of opposition. This deliberate use of capital punishment as a means of political repression is a hallmark of authoritarian regimes, and Iran's practices fit this description. The chilling statistic that 7,052 people have reportedly been executed since 2010, including many political prisoners, underscores the scale of this political repression. The death penalty, in this context, becomes a brutal mechanism to consolidate power and crush any perceived threats to the ruling establishment. ## Conclusion The question of how does Iran execute its prisoners reveals a grim and multifaceted reality. From the predominant method of hanging to the archaic provisions for firing squads, crucifixion, and stoning, Iran's penal code sanctions a range of methods that are often carried out with a disturbing lack of transparency and due process. The sheer scale of executions, with nearly a thousand recorded in 2024 and a 75% increase in early 2025, places Iran among the world's top executioners. What is particularly harrowing is the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations: juvenile offenders, women, and ethnic and political minorities. Despite international condemnation and its own treaty obligations, Iran continues to execute minors, making it the world's largest executioner of children. This, coupled with the documented use of the death penalty as an instrument of political repression, paints a stark picture of a system that prioritizes control over human rights. The lack of transparency in prison procedures, where weekly executions without prior announcement create a climate of anxiety, further compounds the suffering. The international community, led by human rights organizations like Iran Human Rights and ECPM, continues to call for an immediate halt to these executions and the abolition of the death penalty in Iran. It is imperative that global pressure is maintained to hold Iran accountable for its human rights violations and to protect the lives of those on death row. We encourage you to share this article to raise awareness about the critical human rights situation in Iran. Your comments and insights are also welcome below. For more in-depth analysis of human rights issues, please explore other articles on our site.
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