Iran surpasses 1,000 executions in 2023 as death row inmates begin hunger strike
The United Nations recently labeled Iran’s alarming rise in executions as an “unprecedented execution spree”. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that Iran has conducted over 1,000 executions since the beginning of the year. Typically, these executions involve individuals charged with murder and drug-related crimes.
Death Row Hunger Strike
In a significant but risky protest, approximately 1,500 inmates on death row began a hunger strike on October 13 in Ghezel Hesar Prison’s Ward 2. Among these prisoners were 17 individuals associated with the Iranian dissident group, Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK). The strike has since sparked further actions in Wards 1 and 4 at the same prison, as well as at the infamous Evin Prison.
International Reactions
Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), is urging immediate intervention from the United Nations, the European Union, and various international human rights organizations to put an end to what she describes as a “horrific nightmare” under Iran’s current regime.
- The U.S State Department denounced the regime’s lethal measures against individuals executing their basic human rights.
- The spokesperson stressed that the Iranian authorities often rely on coerced confessions during trials.
- Efforts will continue to ensure that the regime faces consequences for these severe actions.
| Timeframe | Number of Executions |
|---|---|
| January 2023 – Present | Over 1,000 |
| October 13 – October 15, 2023 | 38 |
The NCRI claims that officials from the prisons attempted to disrupt the hunger strike by distributing footage of prisoners in Ward 3 consuming food. This was allegedly done to assert that no strike was occurring in Ward 2. The prisoners have expressed extreme distress over continuous oppressive actions, calling for the abolition of the death penalty in Iran.
International Backlash
Iran’s execution surge has not gone unnoticed globally. Activists from the Iranian diaspora have organized protests, such as the ‘United Against Executions in Iran’ event held in Berlin. This protest, led by the Echo Iran organization, rallied against the increasing number of death sentences issued by Iran’s leaders. Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres and his spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, maintain a firm stance against the death penalty implementation in Iran and globally.
As the global community watches, Iran’s domestic unrest and international scrutiny continue to escalate amid reports of escalating executions. The call for intervention grows louder, urging action to address the country’s alarming human rights situation.
