Iran executed a record number of women in 2024

In 2024, 31 death sentences were carried out against women in Iran. This was reported by the Oslo-based organization Iran Human Rights, according to which this is the highest figure in 17 years of maintaining such statistics.

Human rights activists note that in most cases, a woman kills in self-defense, in conditions where she is subjected to bullying or rape. In 70% of cases, the murder victim is the killer’s partner.

According to a report published by the organization, the court rarely takes into account mitigating circumstances, and the testimony of men in sharia courts carries more weight than that of women. However, only 12% of executions of women have been reported in recent years, down from 26% a few years ago.

According to the organization, since 2010, 241 women have been executed in Iran, 114 of whom were sentenced to capital punishment for murder. One of the main purposes of execution is to instill fear of the regime.