The United Nations has reported that Iran executed at least 40 individuals, including 18 protesters, on what it termed 'national security grounds' since the beginning of 2026. UN rights chief Volker Turk expressed deep concern for the Iranian people, who he said are caught between war and cruel repression, during his address to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday.
Iran's Execution Record
Rights groups have noted that Iran executes more people annually than any other nation except China. Turk lamented that Tehran intensified repression following a deadly crackdown on protests in January, which occurred amid the broader Middle East war triggered by US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February.
Peace Deal Announcement
Turk welcomed the announcement on Sunday that the United States and Iran had agreed to a peace deal, emphasizing that 'it is clear all sides need to exercise maximum restraint and work to implement the agreement reached, quickly and in good faith.' He noted that the conflict has had a devastating impact on human rights across the region and globally.
Pre-War Repression
Repression in Iran was severe even before the war. In late December, a protest movement sparked by economic hardships quickly escalated into mass anti-government demonstrations. The crackdown that followed reportedly killed thousands, according to rights groups. Iranian authorities characterized the protests as riots backed by the United States and Israel, claiming the violence resulted in around 3,000 deaths. However, international rights groups put the toll higher and accused security forces of firing on demonstrators.
'Since killing thousands of people during the egregious crushing of protests in January, the authorities have intensified their brutal crackdown, arresting thousands and imposing even more severe restrictions on civic space,' Turk said.
