32 Countries Condemn Iran Executions of Protesters

More than 30 countries, led by France, issued a joint statement on Wednesday condemning Iran's use of the death penalty against protesters, accusing the Islamic Republic of executing individuals to "silence dissent." The declaration, which has since been endorsed by 32 signatories including the United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union's foreign policy chief, called on Tehran to immediately end executions and release all arbitrarily detained individuals. The statement marked a significant escalation in international criticism of Iran's judicial practices amid a recent surge in capital punishment.

The joint statement was issued amid growing alarm from the United Nations and human rights organizations over a sharp increase in executions in Iran. According to the UN, since March 19, Iranian authorities have executed at least 56 people on national security-related charges, including 27 in cases linked to nationwide protests that erupted in late December 2025. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stated earlier in August that the death penalty was being used to "instil fear" and noted that more than 100 others remained at risk of execution. The UN has also raised...