Iran executes two Men for ‘Blasphemy and spreading islamophobia’

In a deeply troubling development, Iran made headlines on Monday, May 8, with the announcement of the execution of two men who had been sentenced to death for blasphemy. The news, disseminated through Iran’s judiciary news website, Mizan, revealed that Yousef Mehrad and Sadrollah Fazeli Zare met their tragic fate at Arak jail in central Iran.

The origins of this harrowing tale can be traced back to May 2020 when Mehrad and Zare were apprehended under suspicion of involvement in the criticism of the Superstition and Religion Telegram channel, according to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. The commission further highlighted that both individuals endured months of solitary confinement, devoid of any contact with their families.

Mizan’s confirmation of the executions unveiled an additional layer to this distressing narrative. It asserted that the two men had been operating numerous websites that promoted atheism, Islamophobia, and other anti-religious sentiments. The gravity of their alleged activities, coupled with the severity of their punishment, has sent shockwaves throughout the international community.

Reacting to these tragic deaths, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights, underscored the regressive nature of Iran’s theocratic system. He lamented that such executions exemplify the “medieval nature” of governance in Iran, prompting a resounding call for the international community to unequivocally condemn the act of executing individuals for expressing their opinions. Amiry-Moghaddam urged that the world’s refusal to respond decisively to such atrocities serves as a dangerous signal, empowering not only the Iranian government but also likeminded individuals across the globe.

Disturbingly, the latest figures from Iran Human Rights paint a grim picture of the situation. In 2022 alone, Iran reportedly executed at least 582 individuals, a sharp increase from the previous year’s toll of 333. Amnesty International’s most recent assessment on global executions ranked Iran as the world’s second-largest executioner, trailing behind only China, which is believed to carry out thousands of executions annually.

These revelations shed light on the urgent need for comprehensive action to address the systemic human rights violations occurring in Iran. The international community, human rights organizations, and governments worldwide must unite in condemning these egregious acts and exert diplomatic pressure to push for change. It is imperative to foster a world where the expression of opinions, no matter how contentious or divergent, is protected and where the sanctity of human life is preserved.

The tragic fate of Yousef Mehrad and Sadrollah Fazeli Zare serves as a somber reminder of the urgent need to advocate for justice, human rights, and freedom of expression. Their deaths highlight the dire consequences of religious intolerance and the dangers faced by individuals who dare to challenge established beliefs. It is only through concerted efforts, collective outrage, and unwavering commitment to upholding human dignity that we can strive for a future where such executions become a relic of the past.