The United Nations is sounding the alarm over a sharp increase in executions in Iran. According to the UN human rights office (OHCHR), the country has already executed at least 841 people in 2025, with 110 executions taking place in July alone – more than double compared to the same month last year.
UN representatives are urging Iran to put an immediate stop to the executions, which they describe as a grave violation of human rights and dignity.
A Pattern of Escalation
Iran’s use of the death penalty has been heavily criticized for years, particularly because many executions are carried out after trials that international observers consider unfair, lacking transparency, or relying on confessions obtained under torture.
OHCHR warns that the latest figures highlight a pattern of escalation in what was already one of the world’s highest execution rates.
A Nordic Perspective on Human Rights
Nordic countries have long been vocal opponents of capital punishment, not only within their own borders but also as a cornerstone of their foreign policy. Abolition of the death penalty is seen in the Nordic region as a fundamental value tied to human rights, justice, and respect for life.
In the past, Nordic governments have taken joint positions in the UN and the EU, calling for moratoriums in countries that still carry out executions. The staggering figures from Iran are therefore likely to strengthen calls in the Nordic capitals for increased international pressure on Tehran.
A Call for Action
OHCHR’s statement urges both Iran and the international community to recognise the irreversible consequences of executions, stressing that “the death penalty has no place in the 21st century.” From a Nordic standpoint, this echoes broader efforts to promote dialogue, diplomacy, and legal reforms that replace punishment with restorative justice.
As Iran continues on this path, the Nordic region – often a leading voice in global human rights debates – faces a pressing question: how to convert strong condemnation into tangible influence that can help save lives.