Unveiling The Truth: Do They Still Hang People In Iran?

Osbaldo Champlin 22 Jun 2025

The question, "do they still hang people in Iran?" resonates with a chilling urgency across the globe, reflecting deep concerns about human rights and justice. Unfortunately, the answer is a stark and somber yes. Iran continues to employ capital punishment at an alarming rate, with public and private executions remaining a grim reality that impacts countless lives and casts a long shadow over the nation's human rights record.

This practice, deeply embedded within the country's judicial system, often follows processes that fall far short of international fair trial standards, raising serious questions about due process, torture, and the fundamental rights of individuals. The data paints a disturbing picture of escalating numbers, diverse victims, and methods that are designed not just to punish, but to instill widespread fear.

The Alarming Reality of Capital Punishment in Iran
The Legal System: Sham Trials and Forced Confessions
Who Faces the Gallows? Diverse Victims of Iran's Death Penalty
Methods of Execution: Beyond the Noose
The Global Response and Diplomatic Efforts
The Human Cost: Fear, Trauma, and Injustice
A Call for Transparency and Justice
Frequently Asked Questions About Executions in Iran

The Alarming Reality of Capital Punishment in Iran

The data on executions in Iran paints a grim and escalating picture. The United Nations chief reported that Iran carried out executions at an "alarming rate" last year, with at least 975 people killed. This total represents the highest recorded in nine years and marks a 6% increase from 2023. Specifically, at least 901 people were reportedly executed in Iran last year, including about 40 in a single week in December. These figures underscore a disturbing trend of intensified use of capital punishment.

Numbers and Trends

While the overall numbers are staggering, the practice of public executions also continues, albeit with some fluctuation. In 2022, two people were publicly hanged. This number more than tripled in 2023, with seven public executions. In 2024, there was a slight decrease, with four public executions reported. However, the sheer volume of executions, both public and private, remains a significant concern for human rights organizations worldwide. Just recently, Iran hanged at least seven people on a Saturday, including two women, further demonstrating the relentless pace of these executions. Iranian authorities also publicly executed two men for the killing of a police officer during an armed robbery, highlighting that such public displays of capital punishment are still very much a part of their system.

Public Executions: A Tool of Fear

Public executions are not merely a form of punishment; they are also a deliberate method to instill fear among the population. The visible act of hanging someone in public spaces serves as a stark warning, aiming to suppress dissent and enforce obedience. However, this practice has profound and negative consequences on the mental health of people who attend or witness such events, contributing to a climate of anxiety and trauma within society. The state's intention to use these spectacles for deterrence often backfires, instead fostering deep-seated resentment and a sense of injustice among the populace.

The Legal System: Sham Trials and Forced Confessions

A deeply troubling aspect of capital punishment in Iran is the pervasive lack of fair trial standards. Reports consistently indicate that executions follow sham trials, where defendants are denied adequate legal representation and due process. This flawed judicial process is further exacerbated by the widespread use of "confessions" extracted under torture, rendering any semblance of justice virtually nonexistent.

Political Prisoners and Protesters

The Iranian authorities frequently target political prisoners with the death penalty. As of April 9, 2025, at least 50 political prisoners were facing execution in Iran, including three women. Disturbingly, on April 8, the Islamic Republic executed five more political prisoners without any notice to their families or granting them a final visit. These men were executed after sham trials tainted by severe irregularities. Many of those executed are individuals connected to the widespread protests that began in September 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman arrested by Iran's morality police. These swift and often secret sentences are part of Iran's campaign to quash the monthslong uprising against the Islamic Republic, demonstrating a clear intent to use capital punishment as a tool of political suppression.

Torture and Lack of Due Process

The reliance on confessions extracted under torture is a grave violation of international human rights law. These coerced statements are then used as primary evidence in trials, leading to death sentences that are fundamentally unjust. The lack of transparency and the denial of basic legal protections mean that many individuals are condemned without a fair chance to defend themselves. This systematic abuse of the legal process undermines the very foundation of justice and highlights the urgent need for international scrutiny and intervention.

Who Faces the Gallows? Diverse Victims of Iran's Death Penalty

The scope of individuals facing capital punishment in Iran is broad, encompassing political dissidents, protesters, and those accused of various crimes, including murder. The lack of legal protections for certain groups, particularly women, exacerbates their vulnerability within this system.

Women on Death Row: A Dire Situation

The situation for women facing execution in Iran is particularly dire. At least 31 women were reportedly executed in Iran last year, a significant increase from 22 in 2023. Of the 19 women executed for murder, nine had been convicted of killing their husbands. These cases often involve severe circumstances such as domestic violence, forced marriage, or child marriage – areas in which Iranian women have virtually no legal protections. This systemic vulnerability means that women, often victims of abuse themselves, are then subjected to the ultimate penalty without adequate consideration of the circumstances that led to their alleged crimes. The recent hanging of two women on a Saturday, as part of a group of seven executions, further underscores this tragic reality.

Protest-Related Executions

The state's response to the widespread protests that erupted in September 2022 has been brutal, with capital punishment used as a tool to suppress dissent. Many individuals connected to these protests have been hastily sentenced to death and executed. While security personnel have died in previous protests, as Sepehri Far noted, "it is crucial to point out in this (time) round Iranian authorities are using the death penalty way beyond" what might be considered proportionate or just, given the context of the uprising. These executions send a chilling message to anyone considering challenging the Islamic Republic, aiming to crush any form of organized opposition.

Other Offenses and Vulnerable Groups

Beyond political and protest-related charges, individuals are executed for a range of other offenses, including armed robbery, as seen in the public execution of two men for killing a police officer. There are also reports of members of minority groups, such as a Jewish minority member, being at imminent risk of execution. While Saudi Arabia, for example, has ended the execution of people who were juveniles when they committed their crime, Iran's stance on this issue remains a concern for human rights advocates, as is the case for many other nations in the region where capital punishment is still extensively used.

Methods of Execution: Beyond the Noose

While hanging is the predominant method, Iran has historically employed, and in some cases continues to use, other brutal forms of execution, underscoring the severity of its capital punishment practices. The question, "do they still hang people in Iran," often overshadows the full spectrum of methods employed.

Hanging: The Predominant Method

Yes, they still hang people in Iran, and it remains the most common method of execution. This method is still used extensively in the Middle East, specifically in Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, and Syria. The process can involve "suspension hanging," in which the condemned is slowly raised by the neck, prolonging suffering. Executions can occur in quick succession, as seen in December when two men were hanged rapidly. In cases of murder, the guardian or a family member of the victim has the right to perform the public execution or hire another person to do so, adding a deeply personal and often vengeful dimension to the process.

Stoning and Beheading: Historical and Current Practices

While less common now, stoning has been a method of execution in Iran, particularly for offenses like adultery. At stonings, spectators are often encouraged to participate by throwing stones at the condemned, making it a particularly gruesome and public spectacle. Beheading, though not widely reported in recent years, has also been documented. Amnesty International recorded the first executions carried out by beheading in modern times in Iran in 1990. These methods, alongside hanging, highlight the brutal nature of Iran's capital punishment system and its deviation from international norms of humane treatment.

The Global Response and Diplomatic Efforts

The international community has consistently expressed alarm over Iran's use of capital punishment. The United Nations chief, in a report citing human rights abuses, specifically highlighted the "alarming rate" of executions. These condemnations often come alongside calls for greater transparency and adherence to international human rights standards.

Despite the escalating tensions, particularly with events like Israel and Iran launching strikes, diplomatic efforts continue. Europeans, for instance, see a window for diplomacy as they meet Iran’s top diplomat, indicating a complex web of international relations where human rights concerns are balanced with broader geopolitical strategies. These diplomatic efforts aim to de-escalate conflicts while also, ideally, creating opportunities to address Iran's human rights record, including its extensive use of the death penalty. However, progress remains challenging amidst ongoing regional instability and Iran's internal policies.

The Human Cost: Fear, Trauma, and Injustice

Beyond the statistics and legal arguments, the practice of capital punishment in Iran carries an immense human cost. It breeds a pervasive atmosphere of fear, not only among those directly targeted but throughout the entire population. The arbitrary nature of arrests and sentences, coupled with the secrecy surrounding many executions, creates deep-seated anxiety and uncertainty.

Impact on Society and Families

The impact extends far beyond the condemned. Families are often denied notification of arrests, trials, or even executions, preventing them from saying final goodbyes or seeking legal recourse. This lack of notice, as seen with the five political prisoners executed without family visits, inflicts profound trauma and grief. The public nature of some executions also has severe consequences on the mental health of those who witness them, including children, embedding a culture of fear that permeates daily life. With at least 18,200 people detained by authorities, the ripple effect of this harsh system touches countless households.

The Long Road to Execution

For those sentenced to death, the period spent on death row is an agonizing wait. It might take years, months, and sometimes even just weeks from receiving the final verdict to the implementation of the death sentence. This prolonged uncertainty, coupled with the knowledge that the trial was likely a sham and confessions extracted under duress, constitutes a form of psychological torture. The constant threat of imminent execution, often without warning, adds another layer of cruelty to an already unjust process. The question, "do they still hang people in Iran," therefore encompasses not just the act itself, but the entire brutal journey leading up to it.

A Call for Transparency and Justice

The evidence unequivocally confirms that yes, they still hang people in Iran, and at an escalating rate, often under conditions that violate fundamental human rights. The systematic use of capital punishment, particularly against political prisoners, protesters, and vulnerable women, underscores a profound disregard for justice and due process. International pressure, diplomatic engagement, and continued advocacy from human rights organizations are crucial to shedding light on these practices and pushing for meaningful change. Transparency in the judicial process, an end to torture-extracted confessions, and a moratorium on executions are vital steps towards upholding human dignity and achieving a more just society in Iran.

Frequently Asked Questions About Executions in Iran

Do they still hang people in Iran publicly? Yes, public hangings still occur, though their numbers fluctuate. Seven public executions were reported in 2023, and four in 2024.
How many people were executed in Iran last year? Reports indicate at least 975 people were killed last year, marking the highest total in nine years.
Are women executed in Iran? Yes, at least 31 women were reportedly executed last year, often for murder cases linked to domestic violence or forced marriage.
Are executions in Iran linked to protests? Yes, many individuals connected to the September 2022 protests have been sentenced to death and executed as part of the state's crackdown.
Are trials fair before execution in Iran? No, executions often follow sham trials and rely on "confessions" extracted under torture, lacking fair legal process.

Conclusion

The answer to "do they still hang people in Iran" is unequivocally yes, and the scale and nature of these executions are deeply concerning. From political prisoners to women caught in cycles of abuse, the human toll is immense, exacerbated by sham trials and coerced confessions. While diplomatic efforts are ongoing, the international community must maintain pressure on Iran to halt these practices and adhere to fundamental human rights. Understanding this complex reality is the first step towards advocating for change and supporting those who suffer under this brutal system.

If you found this article informative, please share it to raise awareness about the human rights situation in Iran. Your engagement can help amplify the voices of those who are silenced. We also invite you to explore other articles on our site that delve deeper into global human rights issues and the pursuit of justice.

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