World Day Against the Death Penalty: The Need to End Executions and Discrimination in Iran

World Day Against the Death Penalty: The Need to End Executions and Discrimination in Iran

On the occasion of the World Day Against the Death Penalty, the Balochistan Human Rights Group (BHRG) emphasises the need to protect the right to life, end executions, and address discrimination against the Baloch nation in Iran.

According to findings documented and independently verified by BHRG, at least 35 Baloch citizens were executed in prisons across Iran during the first six months of 2026. Of these, 28 were executed on drug-related charges, four on murder charges under Iran’s qisas provisions, and three on politically motivated charges. The report also documented that at least 11 prisoners were denied a final visit with their families before their executions.

The widespread use of the death penalty in Balochistan, particularly in drug-related cases, against a backdrop of structural deprivation and discrimination against the Baloch nation, raises serious concerns about equality before the law and the right to a fair trial. Restrictions on access to information and difficulties in independently verifying cases also indicate that the actual number of executions may be higher than the documented figures.

The World Day Against the Death Penalty serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting the right to life, upholding human dignity, and ensuring justice for all. Independent documentation of executions and international attention to the situation of the Baloch nation play an important role in raising awareness and promoting accountability for human rights violations.