Iran's executions of protesters

EU and allies condemn Iran over executions of protesters

By Mustafa Qadri and Aida Karimi

A group of 32 countries — including 29 European countries, as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand — issued a joint statement on Wednesday condemning Iran’s use of the death penalty against protesters.

“The people of Iran must be free to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear,” according to the joint statement shared from the German Foreign Office.

“We further call on Iran to listen to the voice of its people as they demand change, and to take meaningful steps toward ensuring respect for human rights,” the statement added.

Executions and death sentences have continued at a high rate in the country since the US-Israeli war with Iran. At least 56 people were executed on national security-related charges since March 19, including 27 people linked to widespread anti-regime protests earlier this year, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said last week.

Abdorrahman Boroumand Center, an Iranian human rights group, said the execution toll since the start of 2026 stands at 916 — with 15 in August so far alone.

Back in April, the European External Action Service, the European Union’s diplomatic service that carries out the EU’s security and foreign policy, described the rate of executions as “appalling” and urged Iranian authorities to release those arrested for protesting.