Iran's Grim Reality: The Soaring Tide Of Public Hangings
Capital Punishment in Iran: A Legal Framework for Lethality
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Iran, enshrined within its judicial system. The list of crimes punishable by death is extensive and includes not only severe offenses like murder but also politically charged acts such as plotting to overthrow the Islamic government. Historically, the Iranian penal code has prescribed several execution methods, including hanging, firing squads, crucifixion, and stoning. However, hanging has overwhelmingly been the main method of execution. In fact, between 2008 and 2020, it was the only method used, solidifying its grim prevalence. While other methods exist on paper, their practical application is rare; for instance, Hedayat Abdullahpour, a Kurdish political prisoner, was executed by firing squad in 2020, marking a rare deviation from the predominant use of hanging. This legal framework, broad in its scope and often ambiguous in its application, lays the groundwork for the alarming number of **hanging executions in Iran**.The Alarming Surge in Hanging Executions in Iran
The past few years have witnessed a horrifying escalation in the use of the death penalty by the Islamic Republic. The 17th annual report on the death penalty in Iran, published jointly by Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) and ECPM (Together Against the Death Penalty), reveals a stark increase in numbers for 2024. The year 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 history, underscoring a deepening crisis. The rate of executions is chillingly high: in just three days, at least 22 prisoners were executed, equivalent to one execution every 3.5 hours. This relentless pace paints a grim picture of a state apparatus increasingly relying on capital punishment. As of December 18, 2024, a massive surge in executions had already seen 862 individuals put to death, making Iran's the highest per capita execution rate globally. This pervasive use of **hanging executions in Iran** is not merely a legal practice but a deliberate strategy.Public Hangings: A Tool of Intimidation
While executions largely occurred away from public view historically, a disturbing trend has emerged since 2022: public executions have started rising, with numbers more than tripling in 2023 compared to 2022. In 2024, four people were hanged in public spaces, a stark display of state power. For instance, Iran on one Sunday publicly hanged three men sentenced to death for armed robbery, sending a clear message. The purpose behind these public displays, according to non-governmental organizations, is to instill fear in the population. This return to overt public spectacles of death, including **hanging executions in Iran**, serves as a brutal warning, an attempt by the regime to prevent people's uprising and resistance through sheer brutality. However, paradoxically, every execution, particularly those carried out publicly, further fuels the flames of public anger rather than extinguishing them.Sham Trials and Tortured Confessions
The process leading to these executions is deeply flawed, characterized by a profound disregard for fundamental human rights and legal due process. Executions in Iran frequently follow sham trials, where the accused are denied fair representation and the opportunity for a meaningful defense. A particularly egregious aspect of these proceedings is the reliance on "confessions" extracted under torture. These coerced statements, obtained through brutal means, are then used as primary evidence to secure convictions and death sentences. The case of Mohsen Shekari, a young protester, exemplifies this chilling reality. He was executed after being convicted and sentenced to death in proceedings that "bore no resemblance to a meaningful trial" for participating in the ongoing popular uprising across the country, as reported by Amnesty International. Similarly, on April 9, 2025, at dawn, the Islamic Republic executed five more political prisoners without any notice to their families or granting them a final visit. These five men were executed after sham trials tainted by such irregularities, highlighting the systemic nature of these abuses in the context of **hanging executions in Iran**.The Expanding Scope of Victims: Political Prisoners and Women
The reach of the death penalty in Iran is not confined to conventional criminal offenses; it is increasingly extending to political prisoners and, alarmingly, women. Currently, at least 50 political prisoners are facing execution in Iran, a number that includes three women. The execution of five political prisoners on April 9, 2025, without prior notice to their families or a final visit, underscores the regime's ruthlessness towards those perceived as threats. Amidst the huge surge in executions in the Islamic Republic—862 so far in 2024, marking the highest per capita execution rate globally—the Iranian authorities are now increasingly including women in those it sends to the gallows. This widening net of victims reflects a desperate attempt to quash any form of dissent or perceived opposition, making **hanging executions in Iran** a tool of broader social control.Child Brides and Vulnerable Populations
Among the most tragic victims of Iran's capital punishment system are vulnerable populations, particularly child brides. Many of these young women have been hanged for the murder of abusive husbands, from whom they had no protection within the existing legal and social frameworks. These cases highlight a deeply disturbing intersection of gender-based violence, lack of legal recourse for victims, and a punitive justice system that offers no reprieve. The growing political executions in Iran now also include women, indicating a broader targeting of female activists and dissidents. The data from December 18, 2024, confirming the inclusion of women in the surging execution rates, further emphasizes the plight of these already marginalized individuals, making the reality of **hanging executions in Iran** even more heartbreaking.Iran's Global Standing as an Executioner
Iran consistently ranks as one of the world’s top executioners, a position it has maintained with grim consistency. The sheer volume of executions, particularly hangings, sets it apart globally. As noted, 2024 has seen the highest per capita execution rate globally, with 862 executions recorded by December 18. Last year, 2023, Iran carried out more hangings than in any year since 2015, according to non-governmental organizations. These organizations accuse the Islamic Republic of using capital punishment not as a measure of justice but as a means to instill fear and suppress dissent, particularly in the face of widespread popular uprisings. This makes the prevalence of **hanging executions in Iran** a matter of urgent international concern.Espionage and Protests: New Grounds for Execution
Beyond traditional criminal offenses, the Iranian regime has increasingly used the death penalty for charges related to national security and participation in protests. Iranian media reported the execution of a man accused of spying for Israel, marking the third such execution in recent weeks related to espionage. This highlights a trend of using capital punishment to deter perceived threats to national security. Even more disturbingly, the regime has targeted individuals involved in demonstrations. Iran executed the first prisoner detained during demonstrations last Thursday, and Mohsen Shekari's execution for participating in the ongoing popular uprising sent shockwaves globally. More recently, on Sunday, January 12, 2025, Khamenei’s executioners hanged two prisoners, Pouya Askari and Jafar Fallah, in Arak and Semnan. Another execution was carried out in Falavarjan, in Isfahan, central Iran, raising further concerns about the apparent rise in the number of such executions. These cases demonstrate the regime's readiness to employ **hanging executions in Iran** to crush any form of public dissent or perceived threat to its authority.The Veil of Secrecy: Undisclosed Executions
While public executions are a visible tool of intimidation, a significant portion of capital punishment in Iran occurs away from public view, often shrouded in secrecy. These are referred to as “secret” or “undisclosed” executions. Historically, capital punishment was primarily restricted to murder, high treason, and armed rebellion, and largely occurred away from public view, with one rare public execution during this period being the hanging of the doctor of Tehran's central jail shortly after Reza Shah was deposed. Today, the judiciary’s news website occasionally announces executions, but many others remain unreported by state media, making comprehensive data collection challenging. The chart depicting the distribution of execution information sources reveals the extent of these undisclosed cases, and another chart shows the execution numbers by gender, though these are often based on information from human rights groups rather than official sources. The lack of transparency surrounding many **hanging executions in Iran** adds another layer of concern for human rights advocates.Data Collection and Reporting Challenges
Accurately recording the number of executions carried out in Iran is a formidable task due to the pervasive secrecy. Organizations like Amnesty International work closely with partners such as the Abdorrahman Boroumand Centre, drawing from open sources including reports by state media, independent media, and human rights organizations. They also review the execution logs of Iran Human Rights and the Kurdistan Human Rights Network. Despite these diligent efforts, the full scale of executions, particularly the "secret" ones, remains difficult to ascertain. This challenge underscores the regime's deliberate attempts to obscure the true extent of its use of capital punishment, making the work of human rights organizations crucial in shedding light on the reality of **hanging executions in Iran**.Fueling the Flames of Anger: The Regime's Miscalculation
The inhuman mullahs’ regime vainly attempts to prevent the people’s uprising and resistance through executions and brutality. Their strategy is clear: to instill such profound fear that any thought of dissent is immediately suppressed. However, this approach appears to be fundamentally flawed and counterproductive. Instead of quelling unrest, every execution further fuels the flames of public anger. The sight of individuals, particularly young protesters or political prisoners, being put to death, often after sham trials, ignites outrage and strengthens the resolve of those seeking change. The rising numbers of **hanging executions in Iran** are not a sign of the regime's strength, but rather a desperate symptom of its insecurity and its inability to address the deep-seated grievances of its population through legitimate means. This cycle of repression and escalating public fury suggests a volatile future for the Islamic Republic.Conclusion
The grim reality of **hanging executions in Iran** paints a stark picture of a nation where capital punishment is not merely a legal penalty but a pervasive tool of political repression and social control. From the alarming surge in numbers to the disturbing prevalence of sham trials and torture-extracted confessions, the Iranian judicial system operates with a profound disregard for human rights. The increasing targeting of political prisoners, women, and vulnerable populations, coupled with the regime's reliance on public hangings to instill fear, underscores a desperate attempt to quell a restive population. Yet, as the data unequivocally shows, this brutal strategy is backfiring, fueling public anger and resistance. It is imperative that the international community remains vigilant and vocal in condemning these atrocities. Staying informed about the situation in Iran, supporting human rights organizations that tirelessly document these abuses, and advocating for justice are crucial steps. Share this article to raise awareness and contribute to the global call for an end to the brutal practice of **hanging executions in Iran**. The lives of countless individuals depend on it.- Eve Hewson Relationships
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