Washington, United States – UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of a sharp deterioration in the human rights situation in Iran in his latest report to the UN General Assembly. He revealed an unprecedented rise in executions, continued torture in detention centers, and increased repression against minorities.
According to the report, Iranian authorities executed at least 612 people during the first half of 2025. This represents a 119% increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, local human rights organizations documented more than 1,500 executions in Iran in a single year.
Guterres described the public executions as “a clear violation of the prohibition of torture and inhumane treatment.” He expressed regret over Tehran’s failure to respond to international demands to halt or limit the use of the death penalty, particularly in cases not involving murder.
The report also noted the execution of detainees during the 2021 and 2022 protests, including Mujahid Korkor, after trials described by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as “flawed” and during which confessions were extracted under torture in Iran.
Regarding security crackdowns, the Secretary-General warned that the recent circular by the head of the judiciary to expedite the adjudication of espionage and security cases increased the risk of arbitrary arrest and summary death sentences. He also considered the draft law “Strengthening Penalties for Spies and Collaborators with Hostile States” a direct threat to freedom of expression and access to the internet.
The report also highlighted the worsening violations against religious and ethnic minorities, from Baha’is and Christians to Kurds, Baluchis, and Arabs. The arrest of at least 13 Baha’is was documented. In addition, 96 Christians have been sentenced to prison during the recent period for being inside Iran.
In another development, Guterres described Iranian prison conditions as “alarming.” He noted the continued use of floggings and amputations, as well as the deteriorating health of political prisoners, including detained physician Ahmad Reza Jalali.
In concluding the report, the Secretary-General called on Iran to immediately halt all executions. He also called for the release of political prisoners and those arbitrarily detained, an end to torture, and Iran’s accession to the Convention against Torture.
It also calls for the abolition of discriminatory laws against women, including the compulsory veil. He called for cooperation with the Special Rapporteur and the fact-finding mission. Guterres’ report coincides with the warning of the new Special Rapporteur, Mai Sato, of escalating repression following the recent war between Iran and Israel. She asserted that “the human rights situation in Iran is deteriorating at an alarming rate.”
