In a deeply concerning development, Iranian authorities executed 74 prisoners in the month of January, with 34 of them being Kurds, according to a report by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights released on Sunday. This shocking figure includes 46 individuals who were convicted on drug-related charges, underscoring the severity of the situation.

Ethnic Breakdown of Executions:

34 Kurds (46%)
7 Turkish prisoners (9.5%)
5 Baluch prisoners (0.6%)
The report also revealed the distressing execution of two Afghan citizens within Iranian prisons during the same period.

Political and Religious Executions: At least seven executions were directed towards political and religious prisoners. Six individuals faced execution on political charges, while one was executed on religious grounds. Notably, a woman met her fate in Sabzevar prison in Razavi Khorasan province.

Regional Execution Hotspots: Alborz province recorded the highest number of executions with 32 cases, followed by seven in Razavi Khorasan, six in Hamadan, and four each in Fars and Gaylan.

Despite these alarming numbers, the Hengaw Organization highlighted a significant gap in information, stating that only 16% of the executed prisoners (12 individuals) were named in Iranian judicial sources, news agencies, and websites.

This surge in executions has prompted widespread condemnation from human rights advocates, who call for an immediate review of Iran's capital punishment policies. The international community is urged to address these human rights violations and work towards ensuring the protection of individuals' right to life.