Monthly Report – July 2026: Human Rights Situation in Iran

HRANA- This report provides a statistical overview of human rights violations documented by HRANA during the month of July, 2026. The continued execution of political prisoners, including two public executions and the execution of two juvenile offenders were among the most significant human rights concerns documented during the month.

Executions

In July, at least 66 prisoners were executed in Iranian prisons. Since the beginning of the current year, HRANA has documented approximately 854 executions.

Among those executed were two women and four Afghan nationals. Two executions were carried out in public. Abolfazl Sepahi and Amirhossein Safari were publicly hanged in Isfahan in connection with the January 2026 protests.

During the same month, two prisoners were executed for offenses committed when they were under the age of 18, in violation of international standards prohibiting the execution of juvenile offenders.

Of the 66 people executed, 31 had been sentenced to death on murder charges, 24 on drug-related charges, and one on a charge of rape. The charge against one of those executed remains unknown. Particularly notable was the execution of nine individuals on political charges or on the charge of moharebeh (“enmity against God”).

During the month, Iranian judicial authorities also issued 25 death sentences, including one against a woman. Seventeen death sentences were issued on political charges. Among them was the death sentence handed down to Mahnam Navab Safavi, who was convicted of moharebeh after being arrested during the January 2026 protests.

Freedom of Thought and Expression

In July, HRANA documented the arrest of 71 individuals in connection with the exercise of their freedom of expression. During the same period, one home search, one summons to a security agency, and five summonses to court were also recorded as violations of freedom of expression. In addition, 20 individuals stood trial.

Iranian courts, particularly the Revolutionary Courts, sentenced 45 individuals on charges related to the exercise of freedom of expression, handing down a combined total of 2,656 months of imprisonment. One of the most notable cases was that of Afshin Heyratian, a children’s rights activist, who was sentenced to 31 years in prison on charges including propaganda activities contrary to the sacred law of Islam and forming an illegal group.

Other penalties imposed during the month included 142 lashes, 48 sentences of internal exile, three travel bans, and five cases of deprivation of social rights. In addition, a sentence of 60 lashes was carried out.

Prisoners’ Rights

During the past month, HRANA documented the following violations of prisoners’ rights: 23 cases of denial of adequate medical care to prisoners or detainees; 57 cases of detainees being held in prolonged legal limbo; 22 cases in which the families of detainees were not informed of their whereabouts or fate; 10 cases of the transfer of prisoners to solitary confinement; 30 cases of denial of access to legal counsel; 63 cases of prisoners being held in inadequate or inhumane conditions; 9 cases involving the extraction of forced confessions; 2 cases of denial of family visits; and 5 cases of denial of telephone contact.

In addition, 20 prisoners went on hunger strike to protest their conditions of detention or prison conditions more broadly.

HRANA also documented one attempted suicide in prison. Homeyra Sharifi, who was arrested during the 2025 nationwide protests and is currently imprisoned in Evin Prison, attempted suicide and was subsequently transferred to a hospital.

Kolbars and Fuel Carriers

In July, the indiscriminate use of firearms by Iranian military forces claimed the lives of seven civilians, including six kolbars and a 13-year-old child.

The child was returning home with family members after finishing work at their family orchard in a rural area of Sarvabad County, Kurdistan Province, when border guards, mistakenly believing their vehicle belonged to smugglers, opened fire.

Workers’ Rights

During the past month, HRANA documented 20 labor protests and 11 labor strikes.

Workplace accidents claimed the lives of at least 18 workers and injured 47 others during the month.

Trade associations and labor unions also organized 43 protest gatherings.

In addition, 48 commercial establishments were sealed, primarily on allegations of failure to observe Islamic standards.

Women’s Rights

In July, HRANA documented the killings of nine women. In addition, two men were killed in so-called “honor” killings.
In Lorestan Province, two girls died by suicide after their private photographs were circulated online.

Children’s Rights

With regard to children’s rights, HRANA documented four child killings, one suicide, one child death, and 25 child injuries resulting from negligence. The organization also recorded three cases of physical violence against children.

In addition, the death sentences of two juvenile offenders were carried out.

Religious Minorities

In July, at least nine members of Iran’s religious minorities were arrested by security forces. HRANA also documented four home searches and two trials involving members of religious minority communities.

During the same period, seven individuals were sentenced to a combined total of 744 months’ imprisonment. Among the most notable cases was Arman Misaghian, a Baha’i citizen, who was sentenced to three years in prison.

In addition, two sentences involving the deprivation of social rights were issued against members of religious minorities.

Ethnic Rights

With regard to the rights of ethnic minorities and activists working on their behalf, HRANA documented 12 arrests, one summons to a security agency, and four cases of physical assault during the month.

Inhuman Punishment

With regard to cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment, 15 individuals were sentenced to a total of 174 lashes during the month.

In addition, HRANA documented a violation of the right to privacy in which 117 people were arrested in Ramsar for allegedly “holding a nighttime party.”

Monthly Report – July 2026: Human Rights Situation in Iran

Afshin Heyratian Sentenced to 31 Years in Prison

HRANA – Afshin Heyratian, a children’s rights activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to a total of 31 years in prison and financial penalties. Under Iran’s sentencing rules for multiple offenses, 12 years of his prison sentence, as the most severe punishment, will be enforceable.

According to HRANA, children’s rights activist Afshin Heyratian has been sentenced to prison.

According to the verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, Mr. Heyratian was sentenced to:

• 12 years in prison for forming an illegal group;

• 11 years in prison for propaganda activities contrary to the sacred law of Islam;

• 6 years in prison and a fine of 330 million tomans for assembly and collusion against national security.

Under the legal provisions governing multiple convictions, if the verdict is upheld on appeal, only the most severe sentence, 12 years in prison, will be enforceable.

He was also sentenced to 2 years in prison and a fine equal to twice the amount received (US$2,000) on the charge of obtaining illicit property, in connection with receiving US$1,000.

Mr. Heyratian’s trial was held on July 18, 2026, before Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. At the time of the hearing, he had spent more than 250 days in detention without a final legal determination of his case.

Afshin Heyratian was arrested by security forces at his mother’s home in Tehran on November 11, 2025. During the arrest, agents searched the residence and confiscated a number of his personal belongings as well as items belonging to his family members. He was subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.

Afshin Heyratian, an approximately 46-year-old single Baha’i resident of Tehran, is a member of the Society for Protecting the Rights of Child Laborers and Street Children. He has previously faced arrest and judicial prosecution because of his activities and religious beliefs.

According to HRA’s annual reports, over the past three years, an average of 72% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities in Iran have involved Baha’i citizens.

Afshin Heyratian, Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Tehran

HRANA – On Tuesday, Afshin Heyratian, November 11, a Baha’i citizen residing in Tehran, was arrested by security forces at his mother’s home and taken to an unknown location. During the arrest, agents searched the residence and confiscated several personal belongings belonging to him and his family.

According to HRANA, several security officers entered his mother’s home this morning and arrested Mr. Heyratian with the use of force. They also searched the property and seized personal items belonging to Mr. Heyratian and his mother.

A source close to the family told HRANA: “During the raid, Mr. Heyratian’s elderly mother was pushed and fell to the ground as officers forced the door open. Despite the family’s efforts to learn about his situation, there has been no information on his whereabouts. The family’s concern for his safety is growing.”

As of the time of this report, the charges against Mr. Heyratian and his place of detention remain unknown.

Afshin Heyratian, approximately 45 years old and single, is a Baha’i citizen from Tehran and a member of the Society for the Protection of Working and Street Children. He has previously been arrested and prosecuted due to his religious beliefs and social activities.

The Supreme Court Upheld the Death Sentence of Shahram Ahmadi

HRANA News Agency – The request for a retrial by Shahram Ahmadi, Sunni prisoner of Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj who had been sentenced to death was rejected. Few days ago, the executive judge showed up in Sunni prisoners’ ward and told those whose death sentences had been upheld to prepare themselves for execution.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), on June 26, lawyer of Shahram Ahmadi, Sunni prisoners in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, was informed that the Supreme Court had rejected his retrial. Continue reading “The Supreme Court Upheld the Death Sentence of Shahram Ahmadi”

19 political prisoners on hunger strike in Rajai Shahr prison

HRANA News Agency – 19 political prisoners of Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj have gone on hunger strike in solidarity with the political prisoners of ward 350 of Evin prison.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Afshin Heyratian, Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, Saleh Kohandel, Said Masouri, Mohammad Ali Mansouri, Rasoul Badaghi, Mohammad Banazadeh Amirkhizi, Khaled Hardani, Hamid Reza Borhani, Batir Shahr Mohammadov, Misagh Yazdan Nejad and Naseh Yousefi have gone on hunger strike since the morning of April 23rd in solidarity with the political prisoners of ward 350 of Evin prison. Continue reading “19 political prisoners on hunger strike in Rajai Shahr prison”

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