Award Date

8-15-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Criminal Justice

First Committee Member

Hong Lu

Second Committee Member

Seong Min Park

Third Committee Member

William Sousa

Fourth Committee Member

James Tucker

Fifth Committee Member

Xan Goodman

Number of Pages

89

Abstract

Since the 1979 revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been governed by Islamic laws devised by Shia Muslim clerics, significantly influencing the nation's legal framework in both criminal and civil contexts. The death penalty in Iran covers a broad spectrum of offenses, many of which would not be considered capital crimes or even crimes globally. This extensive application of the death penalty is an instrument of social control during periods of political tension, indicating a direct relationship between the regime's stability and the enforcement of extreme punitive measures. Despite some reduction in the visibility of executions due to international scrutiny and the proliferation of digital communication, secret and unreported executions are believed to be widespread.

This study explores the extensive use of the death penalty in Iran, noting that the country has the highest per capita rate of executions globally, second only to China in absolute numbers. This research focuses on the systemic use of the death penalty for drug-related offenses.

Using data from various human rights organizations, alongside government and media sources, this study examines the patterns and implications of executions in Iran over the past 46 years. The analyses suggest that the number of executions is correlated with political unrest, social strain, and the regime's perceived threats to its stability. Additionally, citing drug case narratives, the study discusses how the Iranian regime uses the death penalty as a tool to suppress opposition and maintain control, often justifying executions on the basis of religious law that diverges from international human rights norms.

The significance of this study lies in its detailed portrayal of how executions serve broader socio-political objectives in Iran, highlighting the challenges faced by those advocating for reform, democracy, and human rights in an environment dominated by an authoritarian system characterized by religious governance, where regime protection often takes precedence over individual rights. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of how authoritarian regimes use legal mechanisms, such as anti-narcotics laws, to reinforce political control. It also highlights the serious human rights implications associated with this practice, particularly in the context of international norms and Iran's recurrent challenges in aligning with international accountability frameworks.

Keywords

Authoritarianism; Capital Punishment; Execution; Human Rights; Iran; State Control

Disciplines

Criminology | Criminology and Criminal Justice | International and Area Studies | Islamic Studies | Islamic World and Near East History | Near and Middle Eastern Studies

File Format

pdf

File Size

1200 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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