UN rights chief alarmed by surge in executions in Iran

UN rights chief Volker Turk said Wednesday he was "alarmed" by the surge in executions in Iran since March, with the death penalty being used by Tehran to "instil fear".

"Since March 19, 2026, at least 56 people have been executed on national security-related charges, including 27 individuals in cases linked to protests at the start of the year," Turk said in a statement.

"Over 100 others are at risk of execution on similar charges. Executions for drug-related offences are also continuing at an alarming rate."


On March 19, Iran executed three people convicted of killing police officers and carrying out operations in favour of the US and Israel.

"I am alarmed by the rise in executions and death sentences issued in Iran since March, and that capital punishment continues to be used to instil fear among the population and suppress dissent," said Turk. "Persistent lack of fair trial and due process guarantees are deeply troubling. Confessions have allegedly been obtained under torture and other ill-treatment," he said.