The Committee for the Defence of Iranian People’s Rights (CODIR) has expressed outrage but little surprise at the latest report from Amnesty International concerning executions worldwide.  The report, Death Sentences and Executions 2024 identifies over 1,500 executions worldwide in 2024, the highest figure since 2015, with Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia being the main offenders.

In Iran alone executions increased by 119 from the previous year, a total of 972, accounting for 64% of all known executions.

“Sadly, based on reports we receive regularly from Iran, these figures come as no surprise”, said CODIR General Secretary, Gawain Little, “but that does not make them any the less outrageous.  The use of the death sentence and executions in Iran has long been a tool of the theocratic dictatorship, in its efforts to terrorise the people and suppress any political dissent.  These figures just show how unstable the regime is and how little legitimacy it has with the people of Iran.”    

The Secretary General of Amnesty International, Agnès Callamard, was trenchant in her opposition to the death penalty, stating,

“The death penalty is an abhorrent practice with no place in today’s world. While secrecy continued to shroud scrutiny in some countries that we believe are responsible for thousands of executions, it’s evident that states that retain the death penalty are an isolated minority. With just 15 countries carrying out executions in 2024, the lowest number on record for the second consecutive year, this signals a move away from this cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.”

However, CODIR continues to express concern that the Islamic Republic of Iran appears to be going against this trend, not only with increasing executions, but also continued extra judicial torture and imprisonment without access to legal counsel. 

This has particularly been the case in the last two years with the rise of the Women, Life, Freedom movement, which has seen mass protests throughout Iran, as well as the wave of industrial action across the country, in response to the impact of state corruption and the repressive sanctions regime imposed by the West.

The Amnesty report goes on to indicate that over half of the executions in Iran are for offences that should not result in the death penalty under international law, such as drug related offences.  Also, there is clear evidence that the use of forced confessions has been widespread and that trials carried out by the Revolutionary Courts are grossly unfair and likely to have been based upon torture tainted confessions.

CODIR will continue to campaign against human rights abuses in Iran and will redouble its calls for Iran not to use the death penalty, torture or forced confessions.

CODIR is calling for MPs, peace, trade union and human rights organisations in Britain to back its ongoing campaign to highlight human rights abuses in Iran and to write to the Iranian Embassy to condemn the increase in executions in Iran over the past year.

ENDS

Further information for Editors

Contact Information for CODIR:-

Postal Address:
B.M.CODIR
London
WC1N 3XX
UK
Website: www.codir.net
E-mail: codir_info@btinternet.com

Further information on CODIR

CODIR is the Committee for the Defence of the Iranian People’s Rights.  It has been established since 1981 and has consistently campaigned to expose human rights abuses in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

CODIR has worked closely with the trade union movement in the UK, the peace movement, all major political parties and Amnesty International to press the case for an end to torture in Iran’s prisons.  Major trade unions in Britain are affiliated to CODIR and support its campaign for peace, human and democratic rights, and social justice in Iran.

CODIR has published Iran Today, its quarterly journal, since 1981, explaining the latest developments in Iran and the most effective way that the British public opinion could demonstrate its solidarity with the people of Iran.

In recent years CODIR has worked closely with Stop the War Coalition and has been vocal against any form of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of the nation.

Office

Central Executive Council

CODIR