Iran executes 56 since March, dozens tied to anti-regime protests, UN official says
Iran has executed at least 56 people on national security-related charges since March, including 27 in cases linked to anti-regime protests earlier this year, according to United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk.
Türk said more than 100 others are at risk of being put to death on similar charges.
“I am alarmed by the rise in executions and death sentences issued in Iran since March, and that capital punishment continues to be used to instill fear among the population and suppress dissent,” Türk said in a statement. “I urge the authorities to urgently halt all executions and move towards the abolition of the death penalty.”
Türk also raised concerns that confessions were reportedly obtained through torture, some executions may have been carried out in public, and defendants were put to death just weeks after their arrests.
“Twelve defendants were reportedly sentenced to death following a single three-hour closed-door hearing,” Türk said.
The demonstrations against the Iranian regime began on Dec. 28, 2025, after citizens became frustrated with country’s worsening economy and the declining value of its currency, according to the UN.
By January, the discontent had spread throughout the entire nation, with many chanting slogans directly denouncing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s leadership, The Associated Press reported.
Iran cracked down with brute force, leading to worldwide condemnation and threats of attack from the United States.
Iran’s government has estimated 3,000 people died amid the protests. Human rights organizations believe the death toll was likely in the tens of thousands, the UN has said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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