Torture

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) uses cruel and prolonged torture of political opponents of the Iranian regime, such as:

• Threats of execution or rape
• Sleep deprivation
• Electroshock and burnings
• Severe and repeated beatings

Another IRGC technique is called the “miracle bed,” which includes tying detainees to a bed frame and repeatedly flogging and electrocuting them until they “confess,” according to the report.

They also use “white torture”, often referred to as “white room torture”, which is a type of psychological torture technique aimed at complete sensory deprivation and isolation. A prisoner is held in a cell that deprives them of all senses and identity. In Iran “white torture” has been practiced on political prisoners. Most political prisoners who experience this type of torture are journalists held in the Evin prison.

 

Capital punishment in Iran

Capital punishment is a legal punishment in Iran. Crimes punishable by death include murder; rape; child molestation; homosexuality; pedophilia; drug trafficking; armed robbery; kidnapping; terrorism; burglary; incestuous relationships; fornication; prohibited sexual relations; sodomy; sexual misconduct; prostitution; plotting to overthrow the Islamic regime; political dissidence; sabotage; arson; rebellion; apostasy; adultery; blasphemy; extortion; counterfeiting; smuggling; speculating; disrupting production; recidivist consumption of alcohol; producing or preparing food, drink, cosmetics, or sanitary items that lead to death when consumed or used; producing and publishing pornography; using pornographic materials to solicit sex; recidivist false accusation of capital sexual offenses causing execution of an innocent person; recidivist theft; certain military offenses (e. g., cowardice, assisting the enemy); “waging war against God”; “spreading corruption on Earth”; espionage; and treason. Iran carried out at least 977 executions in 2015, at least 567 executions in 2016, and at least 507 executions in 2017. In 2018 there were at least 249 executions, at least 273 in 2019, at least 246 in 2020, at least 290 in 2021, at least 553 in 2022, and at least 309 so far in 2023.

In January 2023, Iran executed a British-Iranian national Alireza Akbari who once served as Iran’s deputy defense minister, despite calls from London for his release. The execution was condemned by the UK as politically motivated and a “callous and cowardly act” carried out by a “barbaric regime.” Prime minister Rishi Sunak referred to it as such. State-sanctioned executions have witnessed a rapid spike in numbers during 2023. In May 2023 alone, Iran executed at least 142 individuals, its highest monthly rate since 2015. At least 30 of those killed were from the predominantly Sunni Baluch ethnic minority.

Iran is believed to execute the most people per capita. Iran insists that the execution numbers human rights groups allege are “exaggerated,” and that executions are only carried out “after a lengthy judicial process.” Iranian officials cite that they are “fighting a large-scale drug war along its eastern borders, and the increase of drug lords and dealers causes a rise in executions.” According to the BBC, Iran “carries out more executions than any other country, except China”.