Iran Executes First Jewish Person in 30 Years

Iran's treatment of religious minorities remains dire, with systemic barriers to equal rights and harsh penalties for dissent. Recently, Arvin Ghahremani, a 23-year-old Jewish man, was executed in Kermanshah, marking the first execution of a Jewish citizen in Iran in three decades; the legal proceedings were criticized for being unfair and marked by antisemitism. In a broader context, October 2024 saw a significant spike in executions, with the Iranian judiciary executing 178 individuals, the highest monthly figure in over two decades, raising concerns about human rights abuses. Human rights advocates emphasize that the death penalty disproportionately affects ethnic and religious minorities, including juvenile offenders. The Iranian government insists that executions serve as a deterrent, despite widespread international condemnation. These developments highlight the ongoing repression faced by minorities in Iran and the urgent need for reform.