More than 300 internationally respected figures — including former UN officials, Nobel Prize laureates, judges, legal scholars, and human rights advocates — have issued an urgent appeal to the United Nations over the sharp escalation of executions and political repression in Iran. The coalition warned that Iranian authorities are increasingly using the death penalty as a weapon to silence dissent and intimidate society amid growing unrest across the country.
The open letter, addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and senior UN human rights officials, expressed alarm at what signatories described as a rapidly worsening human rights crisis. According to the statement, political prisoners, protesters, and dissidents are facing harsh crackdowns, mass arrests, torture, and executions following accelerated judicial proceedings lacking due process and transparency.
The signatories emphasized that the current wave of executions is not an isolated development but part of a broader pattern of repression that has intensified in recent years. They argued that Iranian authorities have increasingly relied on executions and fear to contain domestic opposition, particularly during periods of economic crisis, nationwide protests, and political instability.
Among those backing the appeal are former presidents of international courts, former UN rapporteurs, senior diplomats, and prominent human rights defenders from around the world. Several Nobel Peace Prize recipients also joined the initiative, highlighting growing international concern about the human rights situation inside Iran.
The letter warned that internet shutdowns and restrictions on communications have made it increasingly difficult for the international community to monitor abuses or obtain reliable information from inside the country. Human rights advocates argue that such blackouts are designed to conceal repression and prevent evidence from reaching global institutions and media outlets.
The appeal also drew attention to reports that political prisoners linked to opposition groups have been among those targeted for execution. According to rights organizations, many detainees have faced closed-door trials, denial of legal representation, and accusations based on forced confessions or vague national security charges.
Human rights groups say the number of executions in Iran has risen dramatically. Recent reports indicate that Iran accounted for the vast majority of recorded executions globally in 2025, with thousands reportedly executed under charges ranging from political offenses to drug-related crimes. Amnesty International described the situation as one of the sharpest increases in capital punishment seen in decades.
The coalition called on the United Nations to take immediate and concrete action, including stronger international monitoring mechanisms, public condemnation of political executions, and pressure on Tehran to halt death sentences and release political prisoners. The signatories argued that silence from the international community risks encouraging further abuses.
As international scrutiny intensifies, campaigners hope the growing number of global voices speaking out will increase pressure on the Iranian authorities and help prevent further executions. The appeal reflects mounting concern that the country is entering an even darker phase of political repression unless urgent international action is taken.