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The UN rights chief expressed alarm on Wednesday over the sharp increase in executions and death sentences in Iran since the US-Israeli bombing campaign began in late February, warning that capital punishment is being used to intimidate the population and suppress dissent. “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 instill fear among the population and suppress dissent,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said in a statement , urging Iranian authorities to urgently halt all executions and move towards the abolition of the death penalty . Widespread civilian protests against the Government began at the end of 2025 linked to economic unrest, soaring inflation and widespread shortages. The crackdown which followed led to thousands of deaths, with thousands more detained, together with a months-long internet blackout. Meanwhile, capital punishment for drug-related offences is also continuing at an alarming rate.
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The UN Secretary-General remains deeply concerned by the continuing deadly military escalation between Iran and the United States, his spokesperson said on Friday as attacks destroyed key civilian and military infrastructure across the Gulf region.
