Archive · 12 Aug 2026
26 Nations Condemn Iran Executions of Protesters, Silencing Dissent
Many countries got together and said they are very upset with Iran.
They think Iran is not being fair to its people.
Iran has been punishing people who protested, and some of those people were put to death.
Twenty-six countries, including France, the UK and Canada, said this is wrong.
They want Iran to stop using the death penalty and to set free people who were arrested.
The protests started because life in Iran was getting harder.
Some groups say more than seven thousand people were killed, but Iran says a smaller number died.
The countries hope Iran will listen to its people and treat them with respect.
Twenty-six countries including France, the UK and Canada, along with the European Union's top diplomat, condemned Iran's executions of protesters in a joint statement issued Wednesday.
The countries said capital punishment cannot be justified when used to intimidate communities, silence opposition or punish people for exercising fundamental rights.
The signatories called on Iran to listen to its people, protect human rights, immediately end the death penalty and release those arbitrarily detained.
US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported more than 7,000 people killed and over 50,000 arrested during the unrest, while Iranian authorities acknowledged a death toll of more than 3,000.
The crackdown was described as the deadliest in the Islamic Republic's 47-year history, with public hangings often using cranes mounted on trucks as makeshift gallows.
- Who
- Twenty-six countries including France, the UK and Canada, together with the European Union's top diplomat, issued the condemnation; it was confirmed by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot.
- What
- A joint statement condemning Iran's use of the death penalty against protesters and accusing Tehran of silencing dissent.
- When
- Wednesday, when the joint statement was issued.
- Where
- Iran, the site of the protests and executions; the statement came from European and Western governments.
- Why
- The countries said executions were being used to intimidate communities, silence opposition and punish people for exercising fundamental rights.
Western Governments and Human Rights Groups
Iranian Authorities
Death toll
Western Governments and Human Rights Groups
HRANA reports more than 7,000 people were killed during the unrest, with thousands of additional cases still being examined.
Iranian Authorities
Iranian authorities acknowledge a death toll of more than 3,000.
Executions of protesters
Western Governments and Human Rights Groups
The execution of protesters is condemned in the strongest terms and cannot be justified when used to intimidate communities, silence opposition or punish people for exercising fundamental rights.
Iranian Authorities
Iranian authorities indicated that protesters could face accelerated trials followed by executions.
- Condemning parties
- 26 countries plus the European Union
- Notable signatories
- France, UK, Canada
- French Foreign Minister
- Jean-Noel Barrot
- Deaths reported by HRANA
- More than 7,000
- Arrests reported by HRANA
- More than 50,000
- Death toll acknowledged by Iran
- More than 3,000
- Unrest duration
- Slightly more than six weeks
- Executions method
- Public hanging, often using cranes mounted on trucks as makeshift gallows