In January 2024, Amnesty International reported on two shocking executions carried out by the Iranian authorities. One of the men executed was a protester with a mental disability. The other was a Kurdish man. Both were convicted after trials that Amnesty described as “grossly unfair,” with confessions likely obtained under torture or pressure.
These executions are part of a disturbing pattern in Iran. The authorities have increasingly turned to the death penalty as a weapon to silence dissent, punish protesters, and target ethnic minorities. Kurds, in particular, face a much higher risk of being executed compared to other groups. Amnesty described these acts as a “plunge into new realms of cruelty,” highlighting the Iranian regime’s willingness to kill vulnerable and marginalised people to maintain control.
Amnesty International stressed that these cases are not isolated. Over the past year, Iran has dramatically increased the number of executions, often following mass protests. By using executions, the authorities hope to spread fear across society and discourage others from speaking out. The organisation called on the international community to take urgent action, increase pressure on Iran, and demand accountability for these unlawful killings. This news is another reminder of how the Iranian regime uses violence and repression to hold on to power, while silencing the voices of those who fight for justice and freedom.
Source: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/01/iran-executions-of-protester-with-mental-disability-and-kurdish-man-mark-plunge-into-new-realms-of-cruelty/
