At least 354 people executed in Iran in six months

According to Iran Human Rights statistics, at least 354 people were executed across Iran, a sharp rise compared to the same period last year; 261 people were executed in the first six months of 2022 and 121 in 2021. This is a 36% rise compared to 2022.

Iran Human Rights (IHR) reported that at least 354 people, including six women, were executed in the first six months of 2023. Accordingly, 20% of all executions were Baluch minorities.

206 people were executed for drug-related charges, a 126% rise compared to the same period last year.

Of the 354 recorded executions in 2023, only 43 (12%) were reported by official media, the remainder were verified by Iran Human Rights sources through at least two independent sources.

Underlining the accelerated speed of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s execution machine, Iran Human Rights once again calls on the international community to break their silence and make every effort to save the lives of death row prisoners in Iran by taking a stance on the state killings. 

Director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam said: “The death penalty is used to create societal fear and prevent more protests. The majority of those killed are low-cost victims of the killing machine, drug defendants who are from the most marginalised communities. We especially call on the UNODC and Member States funding joint projects with Iran, to break their meaningful silence on the execution of more than 206 people for drug offences, and to make all collaborations contingent on halting drug executions.”