In a startling report, Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) non-governmental organisation has stated that at least 20% of all 354 executions carried out in Iran in the first six months of 2023, were Baluch minorities.
Highlighting how important the drug menace is, the report added that of the 354 executions, 206 had been for drug-related charges, which presents a 126% rise compared to the same period last year.
The report stressed that drug-related executions have continuously risen every year for the past three years. It stated that in the same period in 2022, 91 were executed for drug-related charges while 40 people were executed in the same period in 2021.
The organisation urged the international community to break their silence and make every effort to save the lives of death row prisoners in Iran by taking a stance on the state killings.
“The death penalty is used to create societal fear and prevent more protests. The majority of those killed are low-cost victims of the killing machine, drug defendants who are from the most marginalised communities,” said IHRNGO, Director, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam.
The report also stressed that this year, the number of executions has too gone up as 261 people were executed in the first six months of 2022 and 121 in 2021. This is a 36% rise compared to 2022.
Of the 354 recorded executions in 2023, only 43 (12%) were reported by official media, the report added.
It also emphasised on the mistreatment of the Baluch people and stated that the grossly disproportionate execution of Baluch minorities has continued as in the last two years even though they make up only 2-6% of Iran’s population.
