UN: Executions in Iran up 30%

Facts

• Iran is executing individuals 'at an alarming rate,' according to a new report by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who said at least 419 people had been executed in Iran in the first seven months of 2023— a 30% increase from last year.  ¹
• More than half of that figure — 239 — reportedly represents those who were executed for drug crimes, which, according to Guterres, corresponds to a 98% increase in executions for drug-related crimes for the same period the year prior.²
• According to the report, Iran executed seven men for taking part in the countrywide demonstrations that broke out last year in response to the death of Mahsa Amini, with Guterres claiming that all seven cases violated international norms for due process and fair trials.³
• The UN Human Rights Agency estimates around 20K people were arrested for participating in the anti-government protests, while Iran claims that at least 22K of arrestees were absolved. Guterres, saying these numbers aren't corroborated, raised concern that those pardoned may have been re-arrested.³
• The secretary-general called on Iran to immediately put an end to all executions, scrap the death penalty, and free everyone who had been arrested during the protests.⁴

Sources: ¹Associated Press, ²FOX News, ³ABC News and ⁴Business.

Narratives

• Anti-Iran narrative, as provided by Article 19. The Islamic Republic of Iran has executed hundreds of people since January, including those who participated in recent anti-government protests. The government is using these executions to spread fear among the population and squash dissent following months of widespread demonstrations.
• Pro-Iran narrative, as provided by PressTV. While Western media promotes propaganda about the violent riots of 2022, Iranian officials look to keep the country safe from deceitful agents seeking to promote anti-security riots. The Iranian legal system has fairly found those executed guilty of wrongdoing and has held them accountable.