Amnesty International has issued a stark warning regarding the alarming rate of executions in Iran as the UN prepares to address the issue later this month. With over 1,000 executions already recorded in 2025—averaging four each day—human rights advocates are urging immediate action from the international community. Hussein Baoumi, Deputy Regional Director for Amnesty in the Middle East and North Africa, emphasized the need for UN member states to confront what he described as a “shocking execution spree” and called for coordinated global response.
Since the Woman Life Freedom uprising in 2022, the Iranian regime has intensified its use of the death penalty as a tool for repression, particularly targeting marginalized groups. Baoumi highlighted that execution rates have surged to levels not seen in the country since 1989, with many of those sentenced facing grossly unfair trials often marred by torture and forced confessions. The use of capital punishment for drug-related offenses remains particularly concerning, as it violates Iran’s obligations under international law, which limits the death penalty to the most serious crimes.
Amnesty International condemns the ongoing normalization of state-sanctioned executions, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including ethnic minorities and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The organization’s call to action urges all UN member states to vocalize their opposition during the forthcoming Third Committee Interactive Dialogue on Iran, demanding an immediate halt to all executions, the revocation of unjust death sentences, and an official moratorium on the death penalty.
Furthermore, Amnesty is advocating for reforms in Iran’s drug control policies that respect human rights and for accountability measures against officials implicated in human rights violations. As the situation remains dire, the organization continues its campaign to protect those at risk of execution and urges global solidarity in advocating for their rights.
The events surrounding Iran’s use of the death penalty illustrate a larger struggle for human rights and justice within the country, highlighting the need for international cooperation in addressing these urgent issues while promoting the intrinsic right to life.