HRANA- This report offers a brief overview of human rights violations in Iran during August. Key concerns this month include a sharp rise in executions compared to the previous two months, the continuation of public executions, the extraction of forced confessions, and heavy prison sentences handed down to Teacher union activists and members of religious minorities.
Executions
During the month of August, prisons in Iran witnessed the execution of 153 individuals, including 5 women—an increase of 40 percent compared to the previous month. With eight months having passed in the current year, the number of executions has reached 837, which, compared to 930 executions in the entire previous year, reflects a concerning rise.
The gender of 8 of these executed prisoners remains unknown, highlighting the lack of transparency in Iran’s judicial system. Two individuals were executed in public, and 8 Afghan nationals are among those executed.
The number of those executed, broken down by charges, is as follows: 87 individuals were executed on drug-related charges, 60 for murder, 2 for rape, 1 for “corruption on earth,” 1 on security-related charges, and the charge of 1 individual remains unknown.
In addition, Iran’s judiciary sentenced 9 individuals to death. The Supreme Court’s upholding of the death sentences for Sharifeh Mohammadi and Babak Shahbazi was also among the alarming developments concerning political prisoners this month.
Prisoners’ Rights
This month, HRANA received numerous reports of violations of prisoners’ rights, particularly those of political and ideological prisoners. The recorded instances of violations are as follows: 46 cases of punitive transfers to solitary confinement, including 14 cases of prolonged solitary confinement; 70 cases of holding detainees and prisoners in limbo regarding judicial proceedings; 38 cases of families not being informed about the prisoner’s situation; 13 cases of denial of adequate medical treatment; 9 cases of preventing prisoners from accessing a lawyer; 26 cases of threats and pressure against prisoners; and 2 reports of the broadcasting of forced confessions of defendants. One case of death in prison and one case of suicide were also reported.
As a result of this pressure, fourteen prisoners went on hunger strike.
Extracting forced confessions from political and ideological defendants, followed by broadcasting them on state television, is one of the regime’s routine practices against its opponents. In 2024, HRANA documented 28 cases of forced confessions. This month as well, Iran’s state television aired the forced confessions of a group of Christian converts.
Kolbars and Fuel Carriers
This month, indiscriminate shootings by military and security forces left five people dead and seven others injured. The fatalities included three kolbars and two fuel carriers—impoverished individuals who transport goods or small amounts of fuel to make a living. Among the injured were five kolbars and one fuel carrier.
Additionally, landmine explosions left 15 people dead and injured.
Freedom of Thought and Expression
During August, 73 citizens were arrested by security forces for expressing their opinions and beliefs. Among these were the arrest of Ehsan Rostami, a cultural activist in Tehran, and the arrest of Morteza Damour, the father of Vahid Damour, one of those killed during the November 2019 protests, in Karaj.
In connection with the same charges, 14 people were summoned to intelligence agencies, and 11 were summoned to court.
Additionally, 27 individuals were collectively sentenced to a total of 658 months in prison, 132 months of exile, and 130 lashes for expressing their beliefs and opinions.
HRANA also documented two reports of home searches, 8 trials, 12 interrogations, and 11 arrests carried out without a warrant.
Finally, six protest gatherings were held in this regard.
Workers’ Rights
This month, security agencies arrested three workers, including two employed at Razi Petrochemical. There was also a report of one worker being beaten by security forces.
Workplace accidents during this month claimed the lives of 33 workers and injured 66 others, including the poisoning of 16 petrochemical workers in Asaluyeh.
In August, guilds and unions held 57 protest gatherings, along with one reported strike.
Additionally, 25 prison sentences were issued against labor activists, including eight teacher union activists in Kerman Province. Another case concerns teachers’ union activist Abolfazl Khoran, who was sentenced to one year in prison and 74 lashes in a new case while already serving his sentence.
These sentences amounted to a total of 163 months in prison, 60 months of exile, 74 lashes, and 14 cases of social rights deprivations.
Women’s Rights
HRANA’s reports show that in August, seven women were murdered, one woman was the victim of an acid attack carried out by her brother, and 12 cases of rape were recorded.
Harassment of women in relation to compulsory hijab also continued. In one case, two teenage girls were arrested following an altercation with a hijab enforcer.
Children’s Rights
This month, HRANA reported six cases of child homicide, including the murder of a nine-year-old child in Shaft, Gilan Province. One case of sexual abuse was also recorded, along with four child deaths and 19 injuries resulting from government officials’ negligence.
Security forces arrested three teenagers this month, including Voria Amiri, a 16-year-old from Sarpol-e Zahab.
Religious Minorities
This month, judicial and security pressures on religious minorities showed an increase. Through seven sentencing cases, religious minorities received a total of 504 months in prison, with two sentences carried out.
The most notable example was the confirmation by the Hamedan Province Court of Appeals of more than 38 years of prison sentences against six Baháʼí women.
Additionally, 17 cases of home searches were reported, including raids on the homes and businesses of 10 Baháʼí citizens in Isfahan by IRGC intelligence.
Three members of religious minorities were also arrested this month, and one case of physical assault was reported.
Ethnic Rights
This month, 11 ethnic activists were arrested, with security forces presenting an arrest warrant in only one case. In addition, one individual was sentenced to nine months in prison.
Inhuman Punishment
