The guest: Iran sentences people to death with all their might

In recent days, the unprecedented intensification of executions in Iran has become one of the most alarming indicators of the political and social crisis shaking the country. Between November 25 and 28, twenty-seven people were executed, or one person every three and a half hours.

Intimidation through executions: Over the past week, the Iranian justice system has sentenced to death six political prisoners, Abolhassan Montazer, Pouya Ghobadi, Vahid Bani-Amirian, Babak Alipour, Ali-Akbar Daneshvarkar and Mohammad Taghavi. Accused of crimes such as “membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran” (PMOI) and “armed insurrection”, etc. By October, the frequency of executions was already at one person every four hours.

We are on the verge of a barrel of discontent exploding. The deep economic crisis gripping Iran is one of the main drivers of popular discontent and growing protests. In his latest speech, new President Massoud Pezeshkian indirectly addressed this crisis by warning that its persistence could trigger uprisings. In its edition of November 25, the daily “Islamic Republic” headlined “Fear the revolution of the army of the hungry” and denounced: “Every day, the economic crisis worsens, the poor become poorer, the rich are getting richer, and society is increasingly overwhelmed by an arrogant and insensitive elite.”

In response to this growing threat, Iranian dictator Ali Khamenei, during a speech to the Basij paramilitary forces on November 25, urged them to be ready to repress “riots” and “rioters”.

Executions remain a tool of political repression. One of the regime’s main strategies to stifle protests is to increase death sentences targeting PMOI supporters and other political opponents. According to recent reports, more than 3,600 family members and supporters of the Mujahideen have been arrested. Their identities were transmitted to the United Nations by the Iranian opposition in order to protect them.

What are the international reactions? On November 20, 2024, the United Nations adopted its 71st resolution against the Iranian regime in response to serious and systematic human rights violations. Maryam Rajavi, the leader of the Iranian opposition, welcomed the resolution and urged the international community to take stronger action. She said: “The increase in human rights violations and the regime’s disregard for United Nations resolutions require a referral to the Security Council and a reckoning by the Iranian leadership.”

She also called on European countries to condition their relations with Iran on an immediate halt to executions and to actively support human rights in the country.

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