Growing Calls for an End to Capital Punishment in Iran Amid Rising Execution Numbers
Iran is witnessing a surge in opposition to the death penalty, raised not only by civil society and human rights activists but also by high-profile religious scholars. This emerging coalition reflects an increasingly widespread rejection of capital punishment across various segments of Iranian society.
In a pivotal statement, five Iranian clerics and scholars—Mohammad Taghi Akbarnejad, Shahab-ud-Din Haeri Shirazi, Abdolrahim Soleimani Ardestani, Ahmad Abedini, and Sadigheh Vasmaghi—declared that abolishing the death penalty does not contradict Islamic tenets. Their argument draws on Qur’anic verses underscoring mercy and forgiveness above retribution: “The abolition of the death penalty bears no contradiction with an Islamic perspective… The Qur’an does not invite its followers to seek revenge; while it underscores justice and proportionality, it also encourages leniency and clemency over punishment.”
The statement further condemns non-transparent judicial processes and politically motivated death sentences, describing them as catalysts for social unrest. It urges Iran’s judicial authorities to uphold justice, protect human life, and guarantee fair trials:
“We earnestly demand the revocation of all issued death sentences… so that the gallows are removed from this land and Iranians need no longer fear for the lives of their loved ones at the hands of the judiciary.”
In the other development, against this backdrop of escalating executions, civil activists have continued to hold public demonstrations demanding an end to capital punishment. On February 19, during the fifty-sixth week of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, protesters gathered outside Evin Prison in Tehran. Among them were Narges Mohammadi—a Nobel Peace Prize laureate—and Sedigheh Vasmaghi, who chanted slogans like “We stand until the end for the abolition of the death penalty.” In a symbolic gesture, Mohammadi set a noose on fire, underscoring their call to dismantle Iran’s execution apparatus. The campaign itself traces back to early 2023 (Bahman 1401), when it began under the name “Black Tuesdays.” Initially launched by a small group of political prisoners at Qezel Hesar Prison, it has since gained traction among inmates in other facilities and inspired similar actions elsewhere.
Despite growing domestic appeals to end the death penalty, Iran continues to implement it at an alarming pace. According to data from human rights organizations and the United Nations, 901 executions were recorded in 2024—the highest figure in almost a decade. In December alone, authorities reportedly carried out around 40 executions per week, with a notable proportion involving women. Observers warn that these numbers likely represent only part of a larger crisis.
Many of these executions—especially those tied to political or national security accusations—have been criticized for inadequate due process and transparency. Coerced confessions, minimal legal representation, and rapid judicial proceedings remain widespread. High-profile cases such as Pakhshan Azizi, Varishe Moradi, Ahmadreza Jalali, and Behrouz Ehsani illustrate a consistent use of the death penalty to silence dissent. Critics argue that charges filed under “national security” or “rebellion” often serve as a pretext for persecuting minority groups, curtailing protests, and stifling opposition voices.
Respected religious figures’ public denunciations have amplified a nationwide discussion regarding the questionable moral grounds of capital punishment. Those clerics who contend Islamic jurisprudence does not mandate the death penalty share common ground with broader human rights advocacy that calls for its abolition.
At the same time, human right activists have heightened their demands for Iran to implement a moratorium or eradicate the death penalty altogether. Activists argue that repealing or significantly limiting the death penalty could help restore public trust in Iran’s judiciary, especially if accompanied by more equitable and transparent legal procedures.
Yet, authorities appear resolute in maintaining capital punishment, often invoking national security concerns as justification. Despite steadfast opposition from prominent clerics, legal experts, and human rights advocates, Iran’s reliance on executions continues—and in some respects, is expanding. The surge in executions threatens innocent lives, exacerbates internal tensions, and draws international condemnation. As the movement for abolition gains momentum, the Iranian government faces growing scrutiny over a punishment many see as fundamentally incompatible with both human rights and Islamic principles of mercy.