16 November 2024 :
November 12, 2024 - IRAN. 42nd week of “No to Executions on Tuesdays” campaign
Iran Protests Spread Across Prisons as Political Prisoners Mark 42 Weeks of Hunger Strikes Against Executions
Political prisoners across Iran have continued their longstanding protest against the regime’s escalating execution rate, marking the 42nd consecutive week of the “No to Executions on Tuesdays” campaign. This week, detainees at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan joined the movement, bringing the total number of participating facilities to 25, including Tehran’s Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar, Great Tehran Penitentiary, and numerous prisons in cities like Mashhad, Urmia, and Ahvaz.
This campaign has gained significant momentum in recent months, coinciding with the 5th anniversary of the 2019 protests, in which more than 1,500 Iranians, including women and children, were killed in government crackdowns. In a statement, the prisoners honored those killed and condemned the regime’s heightened use of the death penalty as a means to instill fear in an increasingly restive population.
Since early November alone, authorities have executed over 100 individuals, including 2 women, averaging five executions per day. The current Masoud Pezeshkian administration has seen over 450 executions since coming to power, making it one of the highest execution rates in recent Iranian history.
The prisoners’ statement also highlighted recent death sentences issued against 2 detainees, political prisoner Verisheh (Varisha) Moradi in Evin Prison and Nasser Bekrzadeh in Urmia Prison, accused of espionage. In addition, 4 Arab prisoners in Ahvaz’s Sheiban Prison — Ali Mojdam, Moein Khanfari, Mohammadreza Moghaddam, and Adnan Ghabishavi — were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for execution. 3 of these individuals have begun hunger strikes in protest of their treatment, facing severe health risks.
In their statement, the prisoners referred to the death penalty as a “hostage-taking mechanism” used to intimidate ethnic groups and crush dissent, particularly among Kurdish, Baluch, and Arab prisoners. The statement revealed that four Baluch prisoners, previously assured they would be released, now face imminent execution after one of them was temporarily released and later re-arrested. This reversal, the statement suggests, underscores the regime’s use of death sentences to create a climate of terror among marginalized communities.
The “No to Executions on Tuesdays” campaign has urged human rights advocates, activists, and the international community to act urgently to halt executions and challenge the regime’s violent oppression of citizens. The participating prisoners have called for solidarity and action to end the ongoing violence against political prisoners and civilians.
Full Statement by the “No to Executions on Tuesdays” Campaign
“With Dastgerd Prison of Isfahan joining the 42nd week of the “No to Executions on Tuesdays” campaign, we have expanded our movement to 25 prisons across the country. We honor the memory of more than 1,500 women, men, youth, and children who lost their lives in the 2019 protests and commend the resilience of their families, who continue to seek justice despite severe repression by this tyrannical regime.”
“The shadow of execution looms heavily over prisoners in the regime’s oppressive dungeons. Since the beginning of November, the ruling elite has executed over 103 individuals, including 2 women—an average of 5 hangings daily. Since the inauguration of the current administration, over 450 executions have been carried out, the sole tangible outcome of this grim government.”
“In recent days, we have seen inhumane death sentences handed down to two prisoners in Evin and Urmia prisons on politically motivated charges of espionage. Verisheh (Varisha) Moradi, a Kurdish political prisoner, faces execution on the fabricated charge of ‘rebellion,’ while Nasser Bekrzadeh has been sentenced to death for espionage by Branch 3 of Urmia’s Revolutionary Court. Earlier, 3 other prisoners—Idris Ali, Azad Shojaee, and Rasool Ahmad Mohammad—received the same sentence from the same court.”
“In another act of brutality at Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, 4 Arab prisoners—Ali Mojdam, Moein Khanfari, Mohammadreza Moghaddam, and Adnan Ghabishavi—were transferred to quarantine in preparation for execution. Three of them have started a hunger strike in protest of this inhumane treatment, putting their lives in immediate jeopardy.”
“Despite the regime’s insane issuance of execution orders, prisoners persist in their unity and resistance. Last week, prisoners in Dastgerd of Isfahan joined the “No to Executions on Tuesdays” campaign, renouncing their prison meals to demonstrate solidarity.”
“This campaign condemns the use of death sentences against our compatriots, especially women like Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi, as well as against Kurdish, Baluch, and Arab minorities, for whom due process and fair trial rights are routinely violated. We recognize this pattern of execution as a form of hostage-taking to quell growing protests from an oppressed and suffering population. We call for a united front to resist this heinous and unlawful method of repression.”
“For the 1st time, our campaign exposes the fraudulent handling of cases involving four Baluch citizens (Aido Shahbaksh, Abdolghani Shahbaksh, Abdolrahim Ghanbarzehi, and Soleiman Shahbaksh). These men were initially told they would be freed, and one was temporarily released before being re-arrested and condemned to death along with his co-defendants.”
“This aberrant case typifies the hostage-taking approach the regime employs, using execution sentences to stoke fear and stifle dissent. Tragically, these unjust death sentences are now with the executioner’s office and may be carried out at any time.”
“The “No to Executions on Tuesdays” campaign has repeatedly warned of imminent executions. Once again, we appeal to all conscientious individuals, political and civil activists, and human rights organizations to take action to save those on death row and to end executions in Iran. Only through active and united resistance can we halt the killing machine of this regime.”
Participating prisons this week include Evin (women’s ward, Wards 4 and 8), Ghezel Hesar (Units 3 and 4), Central Karaj, Great Tehran Penitentiary, Arak, Khorramabad, Asadabad of Isfahan, Sheiban of Ahvaz, Shiraz Military, Bam, Kahnuj, Mashhad, Qaemshahr, Lakan of Rasht (men’s and women’s wards), Ardabil, Tabriz, Urmia, Salmas, Khoy, Naqadeh, Saqqez, Baneh, Marivan, Kamyaran, and Dastgerd of Isfahan.
“No to Executions on Tuesdays” Campaign
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
