GENEVA – A new report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mai Sato, paints a grim picture of widespread human rights violations in the country. The report, covering developments from January to December 2024, emphasizes the gender-specific dimensions and impact of these violations.

Dramatic Increase in Executions

One of the most alarming findings of the report is the significant surge in executions, reaching the highest level since 2015. NGOs have reported well over 900 executions in 2024, making Iran the highest per capita user of the death penalty globally. The country does not publish official figures on death sentences and executions, necessitating a reliance on estimates. This lack of transparency conflicts with fundamental human rights principles, including the right of access to information and the right to truth for victims, their families, and society.

The report also highlights a disturbing trend in the application of the death penalty. Half of the executions in 2024 were reportedly for drug offenses, followed by homicides, broadly defined national security offenses, and sexual offenses. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights restricts the death penalty to the most serious crimes, interpreted as intentional killing, suggesting that many of these executions violate international standards.

Disproportionate Impact on Ethnic Minorities

The report reveals that the death penalty disproportionately affects certain ethnic groups, particularly the Kurdish and Balochi minorities. Balochis, for instance, account for a significantly higher percentage of total executions compared to their share of the population. The Special Rapporteur has also expressed concern about the rapid rise in executions of Afghan nationals in Iran, with 80 Afghans reportedly executed in 2024.

Gender-Based Violence and Femicide

Gender-based violence, including femicide and honor killings, remains a significant concern. The report notes an increase in reported femicide cases in the first half of 2024, with husbands and ex-husbands being the primary perpetrators. Legal protections for male perpetrators of femicide and lenient treatment in honor-related killings further exacerbate the issue.

The Penal Code of the Islamic Republic of Iran provides several legal protections for male perpetrators of femicide, which effectively sanctions lethal violence against women, particularly in cases framed as honor-related.

Restrictions on Freedom of Expression

The report details continued widespread restrictions on the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom of peaceful assembly and association. Labor organizers, cultural rights activists, human rights defenders, and journalists are among those targeted by the authorities. The new Law on Protecting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab further expands state regulation of personal dress codes and imposes harsh penalties for non-compliance, including extended prison terms and possible death sentences. This law also employs a comprehensive strategy of social control through mandatory reporting requirements for citizens and businesses, state-directed educational programs, and technological surveillance.

The Iranian authorities’ efforts to suppress critical voices and restrict civic engagement extend beyond national borders, affecting Iranian communities worldwide, through various control mechanisms and even killings.

Treatment of Detainees and Prisoners

The report also addresses the treatment of detainees and prisoners, highlighting due process violations, physical and psychological violence, and denial of access to medical care. These conditions represent systematic violations of fundamental human rights principles and international standards, such as the Nelson Mandela Rules and the Bangkok Rules.

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