Iran Escalates Use of Death Penalty Amid Rising Hostilities and Internal Repression Following Execution of Mehdi Khanaki

The execution of Mehdi Khanaki on July 22 marks a significant escalation in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s use of capital punishment as a tool of political suppression. Khanaki, a young man whose case has drawn international condemnation, became the 24th individual known to have been executed since March 18 in direct connection with the […]

10 mins read

Lebanon Moves Toward Historic Abolition of the Death Penalty as Parliamentary Committees Approve Landmark Reform

On July 9, 2026, Lebanon reached a pivotal moment in its judicial and human rights history as members of three influential parliamentary committees jointly approved a draft law to formally abolish the death penalty. The decision, announced following a joint session in Beirut, positions Lebanon as a potential trailblazer in the Middle East, potentially becoming […]

9 mins read

International Human Rights Coalition Calls on Maldives to Abandon Reinstatement of Death Penalty and Repeal Capital Drug Laws

A coalition of ten prominent Maldivian and international human rights organizations has issued a formal appeal to the government of the Maldives, urging the immediate withdrawal of proposed legislation intended to end the nation’s seven-decade moratorium on the death penalty. The joint statement, released following recent executive announcements, calls for the Maldivian authorities to not […]

9 mins read