Tue Jan 07 17:26:52 UTC 2025: ## Iran’s Executions Surge to Highest Level Since 2015: UN
**GENEVA, January 7, 2025** – The United Nations human rights office reported a sharp increase in executions in Iran during 2024, reaching a total of at least 901, the highest number since 2015. This figure surpasses the 853 executions recorded in 2023. The UN expressed deep concern over this escalating trend, particularly highlighting the execution of at least 31 women – the highest number in at least 15 years.
Among those executed were political dissidents and individuals linked to the 2022 protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. While most executions stemmed from drug-related offences, the UN spokesperson, Liz Throssell, emphasized that a significant number of women executed for murder were victims of domestic violence, child marriage, or forced marriage. One particularly disturbing case involved a woman who killed her husband to prevent him from raping her daughter.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged Iran to halt the rising tide of executions. The report comes despite election promises from Iran’s newly elected President, Masoud Pezeshkian, to improve the rights of women and minorities. Iran’s diplomatic mission in Geneva has yet to respond to the UN’s statement.
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