Dr. Mahmoud Amiri Moghadam, born in 1350 in Kerman, is a professor at the School of Medicine in Oslo, Norway. His doctoral thesis in the field of neurology is recognized as the best research in the field of medicine, and for this reason, he has received an award from the King of Norway.

Dr. Amiri Moghadam is the founder of the Human Rights Organization of Iran, who has made extensive efforts to promote human rights in Iran, particularly in the issue of fighting against executions.

In this issue of the Peace Line, in addition to reviewing the statistics of executions for drug-related crimes in Iran and the level of deterrence of such punishments in practice, we have asked him how, despite the fact that the death penalty has not reduced the number of drugs, trafficking and consumption, it is still being enforced and whether there is hope that, given the recent statements of Mohammad Javad Larijani, the Secretary of the Human Rights Headquarters of the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic, the plan to abolish executions for such crimes in the country can be put into action?

Dear Mr. Amiri Moghadam, what percentage of executions in Iran are related to drug offenses?

According to annual reports from the Iranian Human Rights Organization, in the past five years, between 50 to 80 percent of annual executions have been due to drug-related charges. In 2011, approximately 80 percent of the 676 executions were drug-related, and in 2014, 362 out of 753 executions, or about 50 percent, were of individuals convicted of drug-related crimes. It can be said that hundreds of people are executed annually in Iran on these charges, making it the highest number of drug-related executions in the world.

How comprehensive and complete can the statistics provided by organizations and human rights institutions in this field be evaluated? In other words, what is the likelihood of secret executions taking place?

On average, between 40 and 60 percent of executions reported by human rights organizations are announced by official sources, while the other half are confirmed and reported by unofficial sources. Last year, executions were carried out in more than 18 different prisons, which were not announced by official sources. Considering the difficulties faced by human rights reporters in Iran and the existing restrictions, it can be estimated that the actual number of executions is much higher than the figures reported by human rights organizations.

In your opinion, how likely is it that the plan to abolish the death penalty for drug-related crimes, which was first seriously proposed by Mohammad Javad Larijani, will be implemented, considering that many officials have openly opposed it?

Javad Larijani’s statements in December 2014 regarding the government’s dissatisfaction with the high number of executions related to drug offenses and the need for a change in the law are completely different from his statements 9 months ago. In March 2014, Javad Larijani had said about the executions related to drugs: “We expect the world to be grateful for the great service we have provided to humanity. Unfortunately, international organizations use the increase in executions in Iran, which is a result of our firm stance against drug crimes, as a tool to attack the Islamic Republic of Iran on human rights issues.” It is not clear whether his new statements were just a political maneuver or a sign of a change in the policies of the Islamic Republic government. In these past few months, we have not seen a decrease in the number of these executions. On the other hand, the Minister of Interior recently stated that the judiciary should not show mercy to “drug traffickers” and the

To what extent can execution serve as a deterrent in such crimes?

In the past 30 years, during which the government has implemented the policy of execution for drug-related charges, there is no evidence that this deterrent has had any impact on drug-related crimes. On the contrary, drug trafficking has increased and the number of drug addicts is on the rise…

When the death penalty has practically not reduced the number of drugs, trafficking and consumption, how is it still being enforced?

In my opinion, the main goal of the government in executing individuals is not to fight crime. The Iranian government uses execution as one of its most important tools to create fear and terror among the people.

The examination of executions in the past 10 years by the Iranian Human Rights Organization shows that there is a significant correlation between the number of executions and political developments. When the government needs to create more fear in society, the number of executions increases, but when the international community pays attention to internal issues in Iran and the government needs the participation of the people, such as two weeks before the presidential elections, the number of executions decreases. It seems that executions, rather than being a tool for combating and preventing crime, are a means for the survival of the government.

If this plan is implemented, it seems that alternative punishments will be considered for the defendants; just as some judicial officials in Iran have expressed their opinions on this matter. What kind of alternative punishments do you think will be imposed?

Well, I hope that the government will reconsider its policy on execution and consider alternative punishments for drug-related crimes; although Iran did not accept any of the recommendations related to execution in its review of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights. However, if the Iranian government truly intends to change its policy towards execution and implement this plan, there are many experiences in other countries regarding the use of alternative punishments that Iran can benefit from…

In your opinion, what punishments can be considered for drug-related crimes that not only do not violate human rights but also have a strong deterrent effect, and what laws do other countries have in this regard?

In my opinion, the solution to the problem of drug trafficking is long-term and rooted. Those who are executed on charges of drug trafficking are often from the weakest segments of society who engage in such activities due to poverty. For this reason, along with alternative punishments for drug offenders, the government must also consider solving the economic problems of the people, which is a major and important issue. Here, we only limit the discussion to punishment. The main purpose of punishment should be to prevent the repetition of the crime by the criminal, educate the community, reform the criminal, and return them as a useful member to society. In my opinion, imprisonment, education, and vocational training during imprisonment have had positive results in advanced countries, and the experiences of these countries should be used as a model. Some people think that prison is an easy punishment for these criminals, while imprisonment and deprivation of freedom is one of the most difficult punishments. Punishment should not necessarily be inhumane and have a preventive effect;

Dear Doctor, if you have any other points in mind at the end, please let me know…

At the end, I believe that now that the official authorities have accepted that execution is not the answer to the drug problem and have brought up the discussion of changing the law, the people, families, and civil society groups should not allow this issue to end here. They should continue this conversation in the media, streets, universities, networks, and other social platforms, and through launching campaigns and other activities, turn the discourse of execution into one of the main discourses in society.

Ordinary people should not underestimate the impact of their actions. Fundamental changes only occur when everyone participates.

Thank you for the time you have given us.