Iran's Escalating Executions: The Tragic Reality Of Women On Death Row

The Islamic Republic of Iran stands at a grim crossroads, with its use of capital punishment intensifying at an alarming rate. Disturbing reports reveal a sharp increase in executions, particularly targeting women, painting a stark picture of a nation where human rights are increasingly under siege. This deep dive into the harrowing reality of "Iran hanging woman" aims to shed light on the systemic issues, the human stories behind the statistics, and the broader implications of a regime that weaponizes the death penalty to stifle dissent and instill fear.

The numbers are chilling. According to information received by the U.N. Human Rights Office, at least 31 women were reported to have been executed in 2024 alone, a significant jump from at least 22 in 2023. These figures are not mere statistics; they represent lives cut short, families shattered, and a profound disregard for fundamental human dignity. The international community watches with growing concern as Iran continues its trajectory as the world's top record holder for the execution of women.

• Sammy Guevara
• Ana Cabrera
• Artist On Artist
• Kurt Schlichter
• Lexi Rodriguez

Table of Contents

• The Alarming Surge in Executions: A Growing Crisis
• Weaponizing the Death Penalty: A Tool of Control
• The Plight of Women on Death Row: Beyond the Numbers
  • Domestic Violence and Forced Marriage Cases
  • The Case of Samira Sabzian Fard: A Symbol of Injustice
• Historical Echoes: The Baha'i Women of Shiraz
• Targeting Dissent and Minorities: A Broader Strategy
  • Mojahed Kourkouri and the Woman Life Freedom Protests
  • Persecution of Religious and Ethnic Minorities
• The Method and Public Gaze: Executions by Hanging
• International Condemnation and Calls for Action
• The Human Cost and Future Implications

The Alarming Surge in Executions: A Growing Crisis

The statistics from the U.N. Human Rights Office paint a grim picture of Iran's escalating use of the death penalty. In 2024 alone, at least 31 women have reportedly faced execution, a stark increase from the 22 recorded in 2023. This upward trend is not merely a statistical anomaly; it signifies a deliberate and intensified campaign by the Iranian authorities. On one recent Saturday, Iran hanged at least seven people, including two women, further underscoring the rapid pace at which these irreversible sentences are being carried out. This disturbing frequency places Iran in a unique and unenviable position as the world's top record holder for the execution of women, a title that speaks volumes about the regime's approach to justice and human rights. The sheer volume of these executions, particularly targeting women, demands urgent international attention and scrutiny. The practice of "Iran hanging woman" is becoming an increasingly common and chilling reality.

Weaponizing the Death Penalty: A Tool of Control

Beyond the legal frameworks, it has become abundantly clear that Iran's authorities weaponize the death penalty as a potent instrument to instill fear across the population and to stifle any form of opposition. This isn't just about crime and punishment; it's a calculated strategy of social control. The targets are often specific: members of persecuted ethnic minorities, political dissidents who dare to voice dissent, and, notably, women who challenge the patriarchal norms or find themselves entangled in the country's unforgiving legal system. By carrying out executions with such frequency and visibility, the regime sends a chilling message: dissent will not be tolerated, and the state has absolute power over life and death. This deliberate use of capital punishment as a political tool undermines any semblance of justice and transforms the legal system into an apparatus of repression. The fear generated by the prospect of "Iran hanging woman" is a powerful deterrent against any form of resistance or activism.

The Plight of Women on Death Row: Beyond the Numbers

The statistics, while shocking, only begin to tell the story of the women caught in Iran's death penalty dragnet. Among the 31 women executed in 2024, a significant proportion – 19 – were reportedly executed for murder. However, a closer look reveals a deeply troubling pattern: nine of these women were convicted of killing their husbands in cases that frequently involved domestic violence, forced marriage, or child marriage. This highlights a critical intersection of gender-based violence and the justice system, where victims of abuse may find themselves on death row after acting in self-defense or desperation.

Domestic Violence and Forced Marriage Cases

The grim reality is that many women in Iran are trapped in cycles of abuse, often stemming from forced or child marriages. When these situations escalate, and a woman, in an act of self-preservation, causes the death of her abuser, the Iranian legal system, which often fails to adequately address the context of domestic violence, can sentence her to death. These cases underscore the urgent need for a justice system that considers the mitigating circumstances of abuse and provides protection for victims rather than punishing them further. The notion of "Iran hanging woman" in such circumstances is a profound human rights tragedy.

The Case of Samira Sabzian Fard: A Symbol of Injustice

The execution of Samira Sabzian Fard in 2023 stands as a poignant example of this injustice. She was the 21st woman to be executed by the clerical regime in 2023 alone, and the 224th woman executed in Iran since 2007. Her case, like many others, raises serious questions about due process, fair trials, and the underlying social pressures that lead to such tragic outcomes. Her story, among countless others, contributes to Iran's unenviable record as the world’s top record holder of executions of women, a title that should alarm human rights advocates globally.

Historical Echoes: The Baha'i Women of Shiraz

The current wave of executions is not without historical precedent. The day of June 18, 2023, marked a somber 40 years since a chilling event unfolded in the city of Shiraz: the Islamic Republic of Iran hanged 10 Baha'i women in a single night in a city square. These women, mostly aged under 30, went defiantly to their deaths, one by one, each forced to witness the execution of the others before her turn came. The youngest was a mere 17 years old. Their "crime" was refusing to renounce their beliefs in the Baha'i Faith, a religion that promotes principles of gender equality, unity, justice, and truthfulness – principles that are not only absent but criminalized in Iran. This historical atrocity serves as a stark reminder of the regime's long-standing persecution of religious minorities and its willingness to execute women for their beliefs. The enduring legacy of "Iran hanging woman" for their faith continues to haunt the nation.

Targeting Dissent and Minorities: A Broader Strategy

The death penalty in Iran is not applied uniformly; it is a selective tool wielded against specific groups deemed threats to the regime's authority. This includes political dissidents who challenge the status quo, members of ethnic minorities who face systemic discrimination, and individuals associated with significant protest movements.

Mojahed Kourkouri and the Woman Life Freedom Protests

The execution of Mojahed (Abbas) Kourkouri, announced by Iran’s judiciary, is a chilling example of this strategy. He was executed in connection with the 2022 "Woman Life Freedom" protests, a nationwide movement sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini while in morality police custody. Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Hussein Baoumi, rightly condemned this as an "utterly appalling" arbitrary execution. While Kourkouri was a man, his execution is directly tied to a movement that profoundly challenged the regime's control over women's lives, underscoring the interconnectedness of all forms of dissent in Iran. The brutal response to these protests, including executions, reinforces the regime's determination to crush any challenge to its authority, including those advocating for women's rights.

Persecution of Religious and Ethnic Minorities

The data also highlights the imminent risk faced by a member of Iran's Jewish minority, indicating that religious and ethnic minorities remain particularly vulnerable. The Baha'i women executed in Shiraz are a historical testament to this. Official charges against those accused of being Baha'i have ranged from "misleading children and youth" to being "Zionist" – a baseless accusation often levied because the Baha'i World Centre is located in Israel. This deliberate conflation of religious belief with political espionage serves as a pretext for severe persecution, including capital punishment. The targeting of these groups, alongside political dissidents and women, reveals a comprehensive strategy of repression designed to maintain absolute control. The tragic reality of "Iran hanging woman" extends to those persecuted for their faith or ethnicity.

The Method and Public Gaze: Executions by Hanging

Iran carries out executions primarily by hanging. While many executions occur behind prison walls, some have been carried out publicly, designed to maximize their chilling effect. Footage of a public hanging in Iran has previously gone viral, sparking debate among social media users. Some question whether sharing such material, while intending to raise awareness, might inadvertently send the wrong message or normalize such brutality. This raises complex ethical questions about the dissemination of graphic content and its impact on public perception, but it undeniably highlights the grim reality of how these sentences are carried out. The image of "Iran hanging woman" is a powerful and disturbing one, intended to instill fear.

International Condemnation and Calls for Action

The escalating number of executions, particularly those of women and individuals connected to protests, has drawn strong condemnation from international human rights organizations and bodies. The U.N. Human Rights Office consistently monitors and reports on these abuses, while organizations like Amnesty International issue urgent appeals and denounce arbitrary executions. The Women's Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran has also strongly condemned the hanging of these women, calling for global attention and action. These condemnations underscore a unified international voice against Iran's human rights record, urging for accountability and a halt to the executions. The global community's response is crucial in pressuring the Iranian regime to adhere to international human rights standards and cease the practice of "Iran hanging woman" for political or religious reasons, or under dubious legal circumstances.

The Human Cost and Future Implications

The relentless pace of executions in Iran represents an immense human cost. Each execution is not just a statistic; it is a life extinguished, leaving behind grieving families, orphaned children, and a community living under a cloud of fear. The execution of women, often for crimes committed under duress or in self-defense within abusive relationships, or for simply adhering to their faith, is particularly egregious. It highlights a systemic failure to protect vulnerable populations and a legal framework that is deeply flawed and unjust. Looking ahead, the international community faces a critical challenge: how to effectively pressure Iran to halt its use of the death penalty as a tool of repression and to uphold fundamental human rights. Continued monitoring, strong diplomatic condemnation, and targeted sanctions against those responsible for human rights abuses are essential. Furthermore, supporting human rights defenders and civil society organizations within Iran, who bravely document these atrocities, is paramount. The stories of these women, whether executed for alleged murder in cases involving domestic violence, or for their faith, or in connection with protests, must continue to be told. Their lives, and their deaths, serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for justice and human dignity in Iran. The fight to end the practice of "Iran hanging woman" and all other forms of state-sanctioned violence is far from over.

The situation in Iran demands sustained global attention and action. If you wish to learn more about the human rights situation in Iran or support organizations working to end these injustices, consider researching reports from the U.N. Human Rights Office, Amnesty International, and other reputable human rights organizations. Share this article to raise awareness and contribute to the global call for an end to these grave human rights violations.