Between January and May 2025, Iranian authorities executed at least 76 Baloch prisoners, according to human rights reports. The wave of executions has drawn criticism over alleged due process violations, the disproportionate targeting of ethnic minorities, and systemic discrimination against the Baloch community.
Data compiled by the Baloch Activists Campaign indicate that of the 76 executions, 54 were linked to drug-related offenses, 17 to murder charges, and five were reportedly related to political activities or cases of prisoners of conscience. Many of these cases involved defendants who were denied access to independent legal representation or were tried in proceedings that did not meet fair trial standards.
Observers and Baluch advocacy groups have long argued that the Islamic Republic of Iran systematically discriminates against the Baluch minority, enforces policies that entrench poverty, and employs aggressive policing, intimidation, and the heavy involvement of security forces; practices that contribute to disproportionately high arrest rates and executions among the Baluch population.
Baluch activists and human rights defenders argue that the Islamic Republic of Iran draws Baluch individuals deeper into the carceral system through targeted policing and judicial practices. They contend that in some cases, particularly those involving political or ideological charges, the authorities levy vague and non-transparent accusations, creating opportunities to abuse the judicial process.
Though Baloch people represent only about 5 to 6 percent of Iran’s population, human rights organizations report that they account for a significantly higher proportion of executions, reportedly as much as 24 percent in certain years. This pattern has been interpreted by some as indicative of deeper systemic issues, including ethnic and religious discrimination.
Groups such as Amnesty International and regional watchdogs have highlighted ongoing concerns over structural marginalization. They cite issues such as limited access to education and healthcare, economic underdevelopment in Baloch-majority areas, and cultural restrictions as part of a broader pattern of disenfranchisement.
Zahedan Prison Under Scrutiny
Zahedan Central Prison, located in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province, has been identified as a key site for the implementation of death sentences, particularly those involving Baloch inmates. Human rights sources say that at least 85 Baloch prisoners are currently on death row in the facility.
Advocates report that detainees in Zahedan often face harsh conditions, including extended periods of solitary confinement, restricted access to family contact, and limited or no access to legal representation of their choosing. In the absence of independent monitoring or transparent judicial oversight, concerns persist about the potential for sudden executions of prisoners without proper due process.
Human rights organizations have urged international institutions, including the United Nations and the European Union, to take concrete steps in addressing the treatment of Baloch prisoners and to press Iran to uphold its human rights obligations under international law.
Advocacy groups argue that the ongoing executions in Baloch-majority regions go beyond law enforcement. They suggest that these practices may be part of broader efforts to suppress dissent and assert control in provinces with histories of political and social unrest.
As scrutiny intensifies, human rights defenders continue to call for a moratorium on executions and an independent investigation into the legal processes affecting ethnic minority communities in Iran.
