Iran’s soaring execution rate has sparked growing international concern, with human rights groups calling for decisive action. Recently, Iranian resistance leader Maryam Rajavi launched a global campaign against executions, particularly as the regime uses the death penalty to suppress dissent. This campaign, supported by over 1,500 global figures—including 455 lawmakers, 46 Nobel Laureates, and numerous former heads of state—urges an end to Iran’s excessive use of capital punishment. The petition reflects a broad consensus that stopping these executions is essential for both human rights and regional stability.
As one of the signatories, I joined other prominent voices in emphasizing the need to halt the regime’s widespread human rights abuses. The Iranian regime, with the world’s highest execution rate per capita, executed 74% of all those put to death globally in 2023. This staggering statistic highlights the regime’s reliance on the death penalty as a tool to intimidate its population, particularly as protests and resistance movements grow.
Iran’s theocratic regime, under President Masoud Pezeshkian, has only intensified its suppression of dissent. Among the 267 executions carried out since Pezeshkian took office, Reza Resaei’s case stands out. He was one of ten people executed on charges of “enmity against God” or “spreading corruption on Earth”—charges often used against protesters, like those involved in the 2022-2023 uprising. This nationwide movement, which followed the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of the morality police, was the largest since the 1979 revolution. The protests, fueled by widespread dissatisfaction, were a direct challenge to the regime, amplifying its crackdown on opposition.
The Iranian regime’s use of executions, including for political motives, violates international law, with minors and peaceful protesters frequently facing death sentences. Despite international condemnation, Iranian officials continue to defend their actions, citing religious and cultural justifications. However, the Iranian people clearly reject these practices. Inside Iran, grassroots movements, led by organizations like the (NCRI), have consistently advocated for the abolition of the death penalty, greater political freedoms, and legal protections for women and minorities.
This ongoing repression of dissent has made it imperative for the global community to act. Democratic nations must support the Iranian people’s quest to abolish the death penalty and build a democratic framework based on free and fair elections, separation of religion and state, and respect for human rights. By doing so, the international community would not only address a grave human rights crisis but also help to weaken the regime’s grip on power.
Moreover, addressing Iran’s human rights abuses and excessive use of the death penalty is crucial for broader regional stability. Iran’s regime plays a destabilizing role across the Middle East, supporting terrorist groups and fueling conflicts. By aiding the Iranian people in their fight against executions, the world can help initiate the process of regime change, removing one of the region’s most dangerous actors and paving the way for peace and stability.