A recent report published on June 3, 2025, by Opinio Juris titled “Current Human Rights Concerns in Iran: Women’s Rights and Arbitrary Executions” highlights two of the most pressing human rights crises in Iran today: systemic gender discrimination and the widespread use of arbitrary executions.
Gender-Based Discrimination: Towards “Gender Apartheid”
Iran continues to maintain a deeply entrenched system of discrimination against women and girls, often described as a form of “gender apartheid” (Opinio Juris). Under laws derived from Islamic jurisprudence, girls as young as nine lunar years can be held criminally responsible. The legal age of marriage is 13 for girls, though courts can authorize even earlier marriages with parental consent.
Women face restrictions across many spheres of public life, from employment to civic participation. For example, while they may serve in judicial panels, they are barred from issuing final rulings. A new law titled “Bill for Protection of the Family by Promoting the Culture of Hijab and Chastity,” expected to take effect in December 2024, would have further entrenched these inequalities. The law introduced harsh financial penalties and even prison sentences for those defying mandatory dress codes, while also obligating shopkeepers, employers, and public service providers to enforce compliance (Opinio Juris). Due to international pressure, the implementation of this law has been temporarily postponed.
Arbitrary Executions: A Tool of Repression
Iran remains one of the world leaders in executions relative to population size. In 2024 alone, at least 901 executions were carried out—marking a 6% increase compared to the previous year (Opinio Juris). Many of these executions were not linked to violent crimes but instead to vaguely defined charges such as “enmity against God” (moharebeh), “corruption on Earth” (efsad-e fel-arz), or “armed rebellion” (baghi).
Other offenses, including adultery, alcohol consumption, theft, and certain economic crimes, can also lead to capital punishment. Equally troubling is the ongoing execution of juvenile offenders, members of ethnic and religious minorities, and cases based on confessions extracted under torture. Women, too, have been disproportionately affected; in fact, Iran recorded the world’s highest number of female executions in 2024 (Opinio Juris).
Conclusion
The report concludes with a call for urgent action. It urges Iranian authorities to dismantle laws and practices that institutionalize gender inequality, end arbitrary executions, and reform judicial processes in line with international human rights standards. At the same time, it stresses the role of the international community: diplomatic pressure, protection of witnesses and human rights defenders, and accountability mechanisms through international courts are essential steps toward justice (Opinio Juris).