n terms of annual death penalty cases, Iran is ranked second only to China, the world’s most prolific executioner. Since the start of the war in Gaza on October 7th, the Islamic Republic of Iran has carried out 127 executions, and at least 823 in 2023 overall. According to the Iran Human Rights group, one of the individuals subjected to this punishment was Hamidreza Azari, who was only 16 years old at the time of his sentencing. His conviction was based on a coerced confession relating to a murder accusation. Another tragic case involved Samira Sabzian, a victim of child marriage who endured years of abuse and domestic violence and was executed in December after being convicted of killing her husband.
Last month, Amnesty International published a comprehensive 120-page report which included anonymous accounts detailing barbaric incidents of rape and other forms of sexual violence perpetrated by Intelligence and Security forces against protesters unjustly detained during Iran's "Woman Life Freedom" uprising. The report revealed complicity among prosecutors and judges who ignored or concealed survivors' complaints. Unsurprisingly, no officials have faced prosecution for the documented instances of rape and sexual violence.
Since October, the war in Gaza has provided a smokescreen for the Iranian regime to settle scores with dissidents. Under its cover they have rampantly carried out executions without due judicial processes. In a strategic exploitation of redirected global attention, the Islamic Republic has continued to punish individuals without any rightful legal process, and with international scrutiny focused elsewhere, they have done so without reprisal.
The real-time consequences of the ongoing crisis already extend well beyond localized tragedy and escalating regional conflict. As the Israel-Hamas conflicts drags on, Iran and other authoritarian regimes are repurposing the turmoil and pursuing their own strategic objectives.
Choosing Better Leadership
The U.S.—and the West more broadly—have in the eyes of many undermined their credibility with apparent double standards regarding the rule of law. This loss of credibility further emboldens authoritarian rulers, who are able to craft new narratives around these double standards to further shield themselves from scrutiny.
In the absence of state messaging or action that reflects the importance of upholding human rights, many of us feel powerless. In large part, global publics have traditionally relied on governments to champion these rights, but since October 7th it seems these rights are more neglected than ever before, and citizens have felt abandoned by their leaders.
Nevertheless, it is important to remember that regardless of how our representatives conduct themselves, every one of us bears a collective responsibility: to safeguard one another, and to acknowledge the shared humanity that binds us all. In so doing, we embrace empathy and compassion as guiding principles in our actions. When one person's rights are violated, it diminishes the collective dignity of humanity as a whole. We each have a duty to stand up against injustice, discrimination, and oppression. Our commitment to defending each other should be unwavering and ultimately guided by the principle that we are all custodians of the shared values that underpin human rights.
Moreover, it is imperative to play our role in selecting rulers with care and rigor. In 2024 more than 50 countries across the globe will hold elections: the importance of choosing the right leaders cannot be overstated. They will shape policies and influence the trajectory of the world for decades to come. It is incumbent upon anyone who has the choice to engage actively in elections, to research and consider the positions and values of candidates, and to cast their votes with deliberate thought and responsibility.
Today we live in a world where governments are allowed to torture and inflict sexual violence on their citizens without repercussion. We live in a world where mass murder can be rationalized and sanctioned. Choosing better leaders is critical for shaping a better world. While we wait to use our votes, though, we must look for ways to make an impact as individuals and to set an example from which stronger global leadership can learn.
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Choosing and Being Better Leaders Amid Global Calamity
Sunrise over Jerusalem. Calamities such as the war in Gaza give autocracies elsewhere more freedom to act without reprisal. Image by krystianwin from Pixabay
January 19, 2024
When calamity strikes—such as the war in Gaza or Ukraine—it captures the attention of governments and citizens everywhere. Amid these distractions, autocrats can act without fear of repercussion—we must take responsibility for ourselves and our leaders to do better, writes Naza Alakija.
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n terms of annual death penalty cases, Iran is ranked second only to China, the world’s most prolific executioner. Since the start of the war in Gaza on October 7th, the Islamic Republic of Iran has carried out 127 executions, and at least 823 in 2023 overall. According to the Iran Human Rights group, one of the individuals subjected to this punishment was Hamidreza Azari, who was only 16 years old at the time of his sentencing. His conviction was based on a coerced confession relating to a murder accusation. Another tragic case involved Samira Sabzian, a victim of child marriage who endured years of abuse and domestic violence and was executed in December after being convicted of killing her husband.
Last month, Amnesty International published a comprehensive 120-page report which included anonymous accounts detailing barbaric incidents of rape and other forms of sexual violence perpetrated by Intelligence and Security forces against protesters unjustly detained during Iran's "Woman Life Freedom" uprising. The report revealed complicity among prosecutors and judges who ignored or concealed survivors' complaints. Unsurprisingly, no officials have faced prosecution for the documented instances of rape and sexual violence.
Since October, the war in Gaza has provided a smokescreen for the Iranian regime to settle scores with dissidents. Under its cover they have rampantly carried out executions without due judicial processes. In a strategic exploitation of redirected global attention, the Islamic Republic has continued to punish individuals without any rightful legal process, and with international scrutiny focused elsewhere, they have done so without reprisal.
The real-time consequences of the ongoing crisis already extend well beyond localized tragedy and escalating regional conflict. As the Israel-Hamas conflicts drags on, Iran and other authoritarian regimes are repurposing the turmoil and pursuing their own strategic objectives.
Choosing Better Leadership
The U.S.—and the West more broadly—have in the eyes of many undermined their credibility with apparent double standards regarding the rule of law. This loss of credibility further emboldens authoritarian rulers, who are able to craft new narratives around these double standards to further shield themselves from scrutiny.
In the absence of state messaging or action that reflects the importance of upholding human rights, many of us feel powerless. In large part, global publics have traditionally relied on governments to champion these rights, but since October 7th it seems these rights are more neglected than ever before, and citizens have felt abandoned by their leaders.
Nevertheless, it is important to remember that regardless of how our representatives conduct themselves, every one of us bears a collective responsibility: to safeguard one another, and to acknowledge the shared humanity that binds us all. In so doing, we embrace empathy and compassion as guiding principles in our actions. When one person's rights are violated, it diminishes the collective dignity of humanity as a whole. We each have a duty to stand up against injustice, discrimination, and oppression. Our commitment to defending each other should be unwavering and ultimately guided by the principle that we are all custodians of the shared values that underpin human rights.
Moreover, it is imperative to play our role in selecting rulers with care and rigor. In 2024 more than 50 countries across the globe will hold elections: the importance of choosing the right leaders cannot be overstated. They will shape policies and influence the trajectory of the world for decades to come. It is incumbent upon anyone who has the choice to engage actively in elections, to research and consider the positions and values of candidates, and to cast their votes with deliberate thought and responsibility.
Today we live in a world where governments are allowed to torture and inflict sexual violence on their citizens without repercussion. We live in a world where mass murder can be rationalized and sanctioned. Choosing better leaders is critical for shaping a better world. While we wait to use our votes, though, we must look for ways to make an impact as individuals and to set an example from which stronger global leadership can learn.
