**In Iran, the practice of capital punishment, predominantly carried out through death by hanging, has long been a grave concern for human rights organizations worldwide. This deeply entrenched method of execution, often performed publicly, casts a long shadow over the nation, reflecting a judicial system that frequently prioritizes retribution over justice and due process. The sheer scale and increasing frequency of these executions paint a stark picture of a state apparatus that wields the ultimate penalty with alarming regularity, impacting a wide spectrum of individuals from political dissidents to juvenile offenders.** The international community watches with growing alarm as reports from human rights monitors reveal a horrifying escalation in the use of the death penalty within the Islamic Republic. Understanding the nuances of this practice, its legal underpinnings, and its devastating human cost is crucial for anyone seeking to comprehend the complex human rights landscape in Iran. This article delves into the latest data, the disturbing trends, and the profound implications of death by hanging in Iran, drawing on credible reports and firsthand accounts to shed light on this critical issue. --- **Table of Contents** 1. [The Alarming Surge in Executions](#the-alarming-surge-in-executions) 2. [Public Hangings: A Spectacle of Brutality](#public-hangings-a-spectacle-of-brutality) 3. [Sham Trials and Political Prisoners](#sham-trials-and-political-prisoners) * [The Plight of Political Prisoners](#the-plight-of-political-prisoners) * [Confessions Under Duress](#confessions-under-duress) 4. [The Tragic Fate of Juvenile Offenders](#the-tragic-fate-of-juvenile-offenders) 5. [Qisas: The Law of Retribution](#qisas-the-law-of-retribution) 6. [The Physicality of Hanging: A Painful End](#the-physicality-of-hanging-a-painful-end) 7. [International Outcry and Condemnation](#international-outcry-and-condemnation) 8. [Looking Ahead: The Call for Accountability](#looking-ahead-the-call-for-accountability) --- ## The Alarming Surge in Executions The year 2024 has witnessed a deeply troubling surge in the application of the death penalty in Iran, marking an unprecedented escalation that has drawn widespread condemnation. The 17th annual report on the death penalty in Iran, a collaborative effort by Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) and ECPM (Together Against the Death Penalty), laid bare the horrifying statistics. The report reveals that the Islamic Republic carried out at least 975 executions in 2024 alone. This staggering figure represents a significant 17% increase from the 834 executions recorded in 2023, making it the highest number of recorded executions in recent history. The vast majority of these executions were carried out by hanging, solidifying its status as the primary method of capital punishment in the country. This dramatic rise is not merely a statistical anomaly but reflects a deliberate and concerning policy choice by the Iranian authorities. The increasing rate of capital punishment, particularly death by hanging in Iran, suggests a heightened reliance on executions as a tool of social and political control. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly accused Iran of embarking upon a "horrific execution spree" in recent months, reportedly putting more than 250 people to death in the first part of the year alone, further highlighting the relentless pace of these state-sanctioned killings. The sheer volume of these executions underscores a profound disregard for human life and international human rights standards. ## Public Hangings: A Spectacle of Brutality One of the most disturbing aspects of capital punishment in Iran is the continued practice of public hangings. These spectacles are not merely acts of retribution but serve as a chilling display of state power, designed to instill fear and deter dissent among the populace. The first public hanging in Iran in 2024 was reported on August 26, sending a clear message of the authorities' resolve to enforce their will through extreme measures. The graphic nature of these events is undeniable. Amnesty International has previously highlighted new video footage of a public hanging in Iran, shot on July 19, which vividly depicted the execution by hanging of three men in Azadi Square in the city of Kermanshah. Such videos underscore the brutalization inherent in these acts, affecting not only the condemned but also those forced to witness them. The public nature of these executions, sometimes even aired on national Iranian TV, as was the case with a public hanging of three men in July 2011, transforms a private tragedy into a public spectacle, further amplifying the terror. Sana Ebrahimi, a commentator on Iranian street reactions, has spoken about the profound impact and mixed responses among the Iranian public following the execution of protesters, indicating the deep societal wounds inflicted by such public displays of death. The very act of public death by hanging in Iran is a deliberate act of psychological warfare against its own citizens. ## Sham Trials and Political Prisoners The path to the gallows for many in Iran is paved with deeply flawed legal processes, characterized by sham trials and confessions extracted under torture. This systemic lack of due process is a cornerstone of the human rights crisis surrounding the death penalty in Iran. ### The Plight of Political Prisoners The situation for political prisoners is particularly dire. There are at least 50 political prisoners currently facing execution in Iran, a number that tragically includes three women. These individuals are often arrested on vague charges, subjected to prolonged detention, and denied access to fair legal representation. Their trials are frequently marred by irregularities, failing to meet even the most basic international standards for fair proceedings. The cases of individuals sentenced to death, such as those from 2009 and January 2010, exemplify the long and torturous journey from arrest to execution. A stark example of this injustice occurred on April 9, 2025, when, at dawn on Tuesday, April 8, the Islamic Republic executed five more political prisoners. What made this particularly egregious was the complete lack of notice to their families or the granting of a final visit, a basic humanitarian right. These five men were executed after sham trials tainted by severe procedural flaws, leaving their families and human rights advocates in despair. The secrecy and speed with which these executions are carried out further highlight the arbitrary nature of the Iranian judicial system when it comes to political dissent. ### Confessions Under Duress A pervasive and deeply disturbing element of the Iranian judicial process is the reliance on "confessions" extracted under torture. Detainees, particularly political prisoners, are often subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse to coerce them into confessing to crimes they may not have committed. These forced confessions are then presented as evidence in sham trials, leading directly to death sentences. The use of torture not only violates fundamental human rights but also renders any subsequent legal process a travesty of justice. The very foundation of a fair trial is undermined when the primary evidence is obtained through such barbaric means, making the resulting death by hanging in Iran a consequence of grave injustice. ## The Tragic Fate of Juvenile Offenders The execution of minors in Iran remains a major and deeply contentious issue for human rights groups globally. Despite international conventions prohibiting the execution of individuals for crimes committed when they were under 18 years of age, Iran continues to apply the death penalty to juvenile offenders. As of May 2009, there were at least 137 known juvenile offenders awaiting execution in Iran. However, the actual total number could be significantly higher, as many death penalty cases, particularly those involving minors, are believed to go unreported, shrouded in secrecy by the authorities. The continued practice of executing minors highlights Iran's blatant disregard for its obligations under international law, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which it has ratified. Human rights organizations consistently call for an immediate end to this practice, emphasizing the unique vulnerability of children and the irreversible nature of capital punishment. The psychological trauma and injustice inflicted upon these young individuals, often victims of circumstances beyond their control, before their ultimate death by hanging, is a profound stain on Iran's human rights record. ## Qisas: The Law of Retribution Iran's Islamic law incorporates the principle of *qisas*, or "retribution in kind," which allows for the family of a murder victim to demand the execution of the convicted murderer. This legal framework, while rooted in traditional interpretations of justice, often places immense pressure on victim families. In many cases, the family of the condemned is left with the desperate plea to the victim's family to forgo the execution in line with *qisas*. This provision allows for the possibility of "blood money" (diya) or forgiveness in exchange for sparing the life of the condemned. While *qisas* offers a potential avenue for reprieve, it also creates a complex and often agonizing moral dilemma for the families involved. The power to decide another's fate lies in the hands of private citizens, a system that human rights advocates argue can lead to arbitrary outcomes and does not align with international standards of justice. The pursuit of *qisas* often culminates in death by hanging, making the victim's family's decision the final determinant in a life-or-death situation. ## The Physicality of Hanging: A Painful End There are many myths and partial truths surrounding the act of hanging as a method of execution. While some believe it to be an instantaneous and relatively painless death, the reality, particularly depending on the style of hanging used, can be far more brutal. The assertion that "hanging is a slow and painful death" is a part truth. Based on photographic and video evidence of actual hangings in Iran, Kuwait, and historical accounts of executions (such as those of Nazis), it is evident that the method employed significantly impacts the speed and nature of death. In many cases, particularly in public hangings in Iran, the "short drop" method is used, which does not guarantee a swift breaking of the neck. Instead, it can lead to a prolonged period of strangulation, causing immense suffering and a slow, agonizing death by asphyxiation. The visual evidence of individuals struggling at the end of the rope paints a grim picture, confirming that for many, death by hanging in Iran is indeed a protracted and torturous ordeal, far from the quick end sometimes falsely portrayed. ## International Outcry and Condemnation The consistent and escalating use of death by hanging in Iran has triggered widespread international condemnation from governments, human rights organizations, and global bodies. The calls for Iran to cease its executions and adhere to international human rights norms are constant and urgent. Organizations like Amnesty International regularly issue reports and statements, accusing Iran of a "horrific execution spree" and urging the global community to take action. The plea, "The world must condemn Iran," resonates across various platforms and human rights campaigns, highlighting the imperative for collective action against these practices. The international community often draws parallels to historical figures and regimes known for their brutality. For instance, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz notably warned Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of "a fate similar to Saddam Hussein." This comparison harks back to the Iraqi dictator who ruled with an iron fist for nearly three decades before his execution in 2006 following his capture by US forces, serving as a stark reminder of the potential consequences for leaders who commit grave human rights abuses. These comparisons underscore the severity of the human rights situation in Iran and the global demand for accountability. ## Looking Ahead: The Call for Accountability The escalating number of executions, the continued use of public hangings, the systemic injustice of sham trials, and the tragic fate of minors and political prisoners all paint a grim picture of human rights in Iran. The practice of death by hanging in Iran is not merely a legal procedure but a deeply political act, used to suppress dissent and maintain control. The international community, while vocal in its condemnation, faces the ongoing challenge of translating outrage into effective action. Continued pressure, diplomatic engagement, and support for Iranian civil society and human rights defenders are crucial. It is imperative that the world remains vigilant, ensuring that the stories of those executed are not forgotten and that the Iranian authorities are held accountable for their actions. Only through sustained international pressure and a unified stance can there be hope for an end to the horrific practice of death by hanging in Iran and a move towards a more just and humane society. If you found this article informative and believe in the importance of human rights, please share it to raise awareness. Your voice matters in condemning these atrocities. Feel free to leave a comment below with your thoughts or to share additional information on this critical issue. You can also explore other articles on our site discussing human rights violations and global justice initiatives.
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