
Three-minute read
The United Nations Secretary-General has issued a damning interim report to the Human Rights Council on the deteriorating state of human rights in the Iranian regime, covering the period from August 2024 to January 2025. The 15-page document offers a grim and comprehensive assessment of systematic human rights violations under the regime, including mass executions, widespread use of torture, suppression of civic freedoms, gender-based discrimination, and marginalization of ethnic and religious minorities.
Record-Breaking Executions and Arbitrary Death Sentences
The report reveals that at least 975 executions were carried out in Iran during 2024, the highest number since 2015. A staggering 52% of these were for drug-related offenses, many of which would not qualify as capital crimes under international law. A disproportionate number of those executed were ethnic minorities, including 108 Baluchis, 84 Kurds, and 72 Afghan nationals.
Of grave concern is the continued use of the death penalty against women and minors. In 2024, 31 women were executed—many for killing abusive husbands in cases involving forced or child marriage. Despite Iran’s claims that it does not execute minors, the case of Mehdi Jahanpour, executed for a crime committed at age 16, contradicts this assertion.
The report also documents executions tied to the 2022 uprising, including the secret execution of Gholamreza Rasaei, reportedly conducted without prior notice to his family or lawyer, and based on forced confessions extracted under torture.
#Iran News: Global Concerns Over Regime’s #HumanRightsViolations Raised at @UN Human Rights Councilhttps://t.co/TkR7dy2Y5f
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) January 25, 2025
Torture, Inhumane Punishment, and Deaths in Custody
Torture and cruel punishment remain pervasive. Notably, two Kurdish brothers had their fingers amputated in October 2024 as punishment for theft. Reports also detail the death of 36-year-old Mohammad Mir-Mousavi in police custody in August 2024, allegedly due to severe beatings. Though five officers were arrested, no meaningful accountability has been established.
The method of execution itself is also criticized. In one harrowing case, a prisoner was hanged, resuscitated, and then executed months later after the victim’s family changed their mind about granting forgiveness—raising serious concerns about inhumane treatment.
Targeting Journalists, Protesters, and Activists
The regime has continued its crackdown on freedom of expression, with 125 journalists prosecuted in 2024, including 40 women.
Internet censorship remains rampant, with virtual private networks (VPNs) still widely needed. Surveillance continues to be enforced through facial recognition, particularly targeting female students and university attendees.
In December 2024, the government suspended a highly controversial law enforcing compulsory hijab, but the report warns that if enacted, it would legalize harsh penalties—including death—for “promoting corruption on earth” through acts such as public unveiling or sending hijab-related content abroad.
“I am appalled by the continued use of the death penalty in significant numbers.”
– @UNHumanRights chief @volker_turk urges authorities in Iran to halt executions immediately.
Read what else he said as he marked 6 months in office: https://t.co/TyEwO1eYBy pic.twitter.com/cKtDsfDWvK
— United Nations (@UN) May 27, 2023
Women and Girls: Victims of Gender Apartheid
The report details widespread femicides, harassment for dress code violations, and surveillance in universities. Child marriage remains widespread, particularly among minority communities, with official statistics on such practices no longer published.
The suicides of 16-year-old Arezo Khavari and 17-year-old Aynaz Karimi are cited as examples of the psychological harm caused by oppressive school dress code enforcement and the lack of mental health support in schools.
Targeting Minorities: Ethnic and Religious Discrimination
The report underscores systemic discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities, particularly Kurds, Baluchis, Baha’is, Christians, and Sunnis. In October 2024, ten Baha’i women were sentenced to a combined 90 years in prison for organizing community activities.
At least 19 Arab cultural activists and poets were arrested in early 2025 in Khuzestan under the guise of public security operations. Additionally, Azeri cultural activists received a combined 81-year prison sentence for peaceful advocacy.
Iran: “The weaponization of criminal procedures to punish people for exercising their basic rights – such as those participating in or organizing demonstrations – amounts to state sanctioned killing."
— @UNHumanRights chief @volker_turkhttps://t.co/fXMDKdeXoN
— United Nations (@UN) January 10, 2023
Limited Progress and International Cooperation
The report acknowledges minimal progress in engagement with international human rights mechanisms but notes that Iran’s regime continues to deny access to the UN Fact-Finding Mission and special rapporteurs. Iran’s regime still refuses to ratify key human rights treaties, including the Convention against Torture and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
Urgent Recommendations
The Secretary-General issued a set of 17 urgent recommendations, calling on the Iranian regime to:
- Abolish the death penalty and immediately halt all executions.
- Release all individuals detained for peaceful activism.
- Guarantee due process and fair trial rights.
- Eliminate gender-based discrimination and violence.
- Protect ethnic and religious minorities.
- Ensure access to quality healthcare without discrimination.
- Ratify key human rights treaties and engage fully with UN mechanisms.
This report reinforces a stark truth: that the Iranian regime continues to treat fundamental human rights not as universal standards, but as obstacles to be crushed in the name of control. With executions at a record high and repression seeping into every facet of civic life, the international community faces mounting pressure to act decisively in defense of the Iranian people.