Executions in Iran rose sharply in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, according to a non-governmental human rights group.

As of the end of June, Oslo-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) reported yesterday that it had recorded 354 executions. In the corresponding period of 2022, he spoke of 261 executions.

“The death penalty is used to instill fear in society and prevent new protests,” said Mahmoud Amiri-Moghadam, the director of the NGO.

Authorities in the Islamic Republic have executed seven people arrested during mass demonstrations and riots since last September, after the death of Mahsha Amini, a young Iranian-Kurdish woman accused of violating the strict dress code that imposed on women.

Most of the people executed in the first half of this year (206) were convicted of drug trafficking and drug use, according to the IHR.

“The majority of those who are put to death are low-cost victims for the killing machine, accused in drug cases”, who often belong to “the most marginalized communities”, according to Mr Amiri-Moghadam.

Executions of members of ethnic minorities are common. Amnesty International also recently accused the Iranian authorities of using capital punishment as a “tool of oppression” against minorities.

Authorities do not release official figures on executions in Iran, the number of which has been reported by human rights groups for years.