Assessing the Feasibility of the Right Not to Be Punished and Its Alternatives in Iranian Law and International Instruments

The traditional association between criminal responsibility and the necessary imposition of punishment has been increasingly challenged by developments in human rights law, criminology, restorative justice, and non-custodial sentencing. This article examines whether a limited and conditional “right not to be punished” can be recognized within Iranian criminal law in light of relevant international instruments. The study adopts a qualitative, doctrinal, and normative legal method and analyses Iranian penal legislation, criminal procedure, international human rights norms, and standards governing non-custodial measures, juvenile justice, prisoners, and restorative justice. The right not to be punished is defined not as an entitlement to impunity or denial of criminal responsibility, but as a legal claim against unnecessary, disproportionate, arbitrary, or ineffective punishment when a less restrictive response can adequately achieve the legitimate objectives of criminal justice. The findings indicate that Iranian law does not expressly recognize an autonomous and enforceable right under this title. Nevertheless, institutions such as exemption from punishment, deferment of sentencing, suspension of execution, conditional release, semi-liberty, electronic monitoring, prosecutorial diversion, mediation, juvenile measures, and alternatives to imprisonment collectively provide a substantial basis for its conditional recognition. International instruments similarly do not establish a general right not to be punished, but their emphasis on human dignity, proportionality, rehabilitation, detention as a last resort, and non-custodial measures strengthens the normative foundations of the concept. The article concludes that recognition of this right is feasible primarily in minor, non-violent, reparable, juvenile, and low-risk cases, provided that victim protection, public safety, legality, equality, judicial reasoning, and effective supervision are guaranteed. Its implementation requires coordinated legislation, reasoned sentencing, reliable community-based institutions, and safeguards preventing alternatives from expanding rather than reducing penal control.