In a recent and controversial move, Iranian authorities carried out the amputation of the fingers of three men convicted of theft, as reported by Human Rights Watch (HRW). The men, identified as Mehdi Shahivand, Mehdi Sharafian, and Hadi Rostami, were accused of burglarizing homes and robbing safes, leading to their arrest in August 2017. Despite international outcry and calls for the cessation of such punishments, the sentences were executed, leaving each man without four fingers on their right hand.

HRW has criticized these acts as "torture" and a blatant violation of human rights commitments. Bahar Saba, an Iranian researcher at HRW, emphasized the cruelty of these punishments, which starkly contrast with Iran's obligations under international law. The trials of these individuals have been flagged as grossly unfair, marred by a lack of proper legal representation and allegations of torture and mistreatment during police custody.

The international community, including the UN Office of the High Commissioner, has repeatedly condemned these practices. In June 2022, the UN specifically urged Iran to halt the amputation sentences of these three men and five others. Nevertheless, the sentences were carried out, underscoring a troubling trend observed in Iran where severe corporal punishments are administered, particularly against individuals from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.

Hand amputation, sanctioned under Article 278 of the Islamic Penal Code for certain Hudud crimes, has a long and contentious history in Iran. Despite widespread condemnation and evidence suggesting such practices violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)—which Iran has ratified—the country has not signed the Convention against Torture (CAT), which explicitly prohibits such inhumane treatments.

These actions occur amid heightened scrutiny of Iran's human rights record, which includes a significant increase in executions and other alleged breaches of international law. Critics argue that such harsh judicial punishments tarnish Iran's international standing and call for a reevaluation of its adherence to global human rights standards.