Iranian authorities executed people on a scale unseen since the late 1980s during 2025, according to the latest Human Rights Watch report. Furthermore, security forces carried out mass killings in response to nationwide protests, which consequently led to thousands of deaths by early 2026. The 36th edition of the World Report 2026 specifically highlights a sharp escalation in state-sponsored violence and systematic violations of human rights.
The crackdown on protests that began in late December escalated sharply in early 2026 as security forces used lethal force against civilians. Human Rights Watch documented clear evidence of a coordinated escalation starting January 8, including fatal gunshot wounds to the heads of protesters. Consequently, the authorities imposed nationwide internet shutdowns and telecommunications restrictions to hide the true scale of these atrocities from the global community.
Unprecedented Execution Rates in 2025
Iranian officials executed over 2,000 individuals by late 2025, which represents the highest number of known executions in nearly four decades. Notably, over half of these executions were for drug-related offenses, which violates international law and targets vulnerable ethnic and religious minority groups. Judicial officials used systematic fair trial violations to target victims, demonstrating that the legal system acts as a tool for political control.
A Call for International Accountability
Senior researcher Bahar Saba argued that this spiral of impunity resulted in an execution spree and the deadliest protest crackdown in recent history. Additionally, the international community should urgently pursue concrete accountability measures through universal jurisdiction to hold those responsible for these killings to account.
Executive Director Philippe Bolopion warned that the global authoritarian wave represents a significant challenge for the upcoming generation of rights defenders. He specifically calls for a strategic alliance between rights-respecting democracies and civil society to defend fundamental freedoms against mounting global political threats.
Systemic Repression and Gender Subjugation
Authorities maintained and implemented a system of subjugation against women, specifically through discriminatory policies and the enforcement of the compulsory hijab law. Official statements released during the final months of the year signal a renewed wave of crackdowns against those resisting these laws.
Moreover, systematic torture and ill-treatment remain widespread in detention centers, where officials frequently deny prisoners essential medical care to increase suffering. The state also utilizes cruel punishments like flogging and amputations, which constitute severe torture according to established international human rights standards. Consequently, the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities continues, including documented crimes against humanity committed against the Baha’i community.
Regional Conflict and Alleged War Crimes
Human Rights Watch reported that Israeli forces unlawfully attacked Evin prison on June 23, killing scores of civilians without any military target. These strikes were followed by further ill-treatment and enforced disappearances of political prisoners at the hands of the Iranian authorities. Simultaneously, investigators found that five Iranian ballistic missile strikes on populated areas in Israel likely constituted war crimes by killing twenty civilians.
These incidents highlight a dangerous spiral of violence where both state repression and regional conflict contribute to a mounting civilian death toll. Therefore, the international community must urgently pursue accountability measures to halt these systematic atrocities and protect fundamental human freedoms.
Questions and Answers
What was the scale of executions in Iran in 2025?
Authorities executed over 2,000 people, which is the highest number recorded since the late 1980s, primarily for various drug-related offenses.
How did the international community react to the crackdowns?
Human Rights Watch called for urgent accountability through universal jurisdiction to hold those responsible for the mass killings of thousands to account.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is targeting ethnic minorities in Iran?
The Iranian authorities have increasingly targeted ethnic and religious minorities, particularly Sunnis, with the death penalty under the guise of national security.
How did the Iranian government hide the massacres? Iranian authorities committed these massacres amid a nationwide internet shutdown and telecommunications restrictions which they specifically imposed to conceal their atrocities.
What is the significance of the World Report 2026?
The 529-page World Report 2026 reviews human rights practices in over 100 countries and identifies the global rise of authoritarianism as a threat.
