Prisoners across Iran held the 49th week of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign on December 31, 2024. The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign is a coordinated protest movement initiated by political prisoners across Iran to oppose the regime’s extensive use of the death penalty. Since it began in early 2024, the campaign has involved weekly hunger strikes and statements condemning executions, aiming to raise awareness and mobilize both national and international support against capital punishment in Iran. It has now expanded to 28 prisons across the country.
In their latest statement, the participants in the “No to Executions” campaign wrote, “In recent days, as the voices of justice-seekers and activists against executions have grown louder, not only have executions and repression not decreased, but the authoritarian government has intensified them significantly. Recently, the judiciary has permitted the amputation of limbs (hands and feet) for those accused of theft and ‘moharebeh’ [enmity against God’ in an effort to normalize these brutal acts and spread fear and oppression in society. Many of those accused of theft are victims of systemic corruption, class discrimination, and the astronomical embezzlement by government officials and their affiliates.”
The statement also stresses that the misogynistic regime ruling Iran, continuing its repression, has sentenced several women prisoners in Qarchak prison to the medieval punishment of stoning on charges of illicit relationships. “At best, their sentences may be converted to execution instead of death by stoning. We believe that silence in the face of such atrocities equates to complicity, and it is necessary to stand against this savagery and barbarism,” the statement reads in part.
The prisoners warn that at least 41 people were executed in the first 10 days of the Iranian month of Dey (December-January), with 23 executed in just three days. “Numerous death-row inmates have been transferred to solitary confinement to await the implementation of their sentences,” their statement reads.
The campaign also warns that political prisoner Mojahid Korkor, who has been incarcerated for over two years, has had his death sentence reinstated for the second time by a branch of the Revolutionary Court in Ahvaz. This sentence had previously been overturned by the Supreme Court, and his life is now in grave danger.
Another part of the statement reads, “Recently, the authoritarian regime has been pressuring and threatening honorable and independent lawyers who attempt to take on the cases of political prisoners and death-row inmates. This action, which has been witnessed repeatedly in recent years, has resulted in the imprisonment of some lawyers merely for defending their clients. It is essential to defend these honorable and independent lawyers.”
In recent days, there has been widespread support for the “No to Executions” campaign from activists both inside and outside the country. “We sincerely thank everyone and believe that opposing executions must mean opposing all types of executions and supporting every individual sentenced to death,” the prisoners write.
The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign condemned the repressive and inhumane actions of the regime and called on all activists in this field to “take action to combat repression and executions in Iran.”
They also call on the people of Iran and prisoners to support this campaign and join it to stop death sentences in Iran. “With solidarity and united action, we can eradicate the root of executions and build a land free of violence and executions,” they write. “We do not forget that the instigators and perpetrators of these executions, killings, and repressions are the greatest criminals against humanity, who must answer for their disgraceful actions before a people’s court. Undoubtedly, the foundation of many of these crimes lies with oppressive rulers who have usurped power and governance for their own benefit and are hostile to any form of freedom and equality.”
The 28 prisons participating in the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign on December 31 were: Evin Prison (women’s ward, wards 4 and 8), Ghezel Hesar Prison (units 3 and 4), Karaj Central Prison, Greater Tehran Prison, Arak Prison, Khorramabad Prison, Asadabad Prison in Isfahan, Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, Nezam Prison in Shiraz, Bam Prison, Kahnuj Prison, Mashhad Prison, Qaemshahr Prison, Lakan Prison in Rasht Prison (men’s and women’s wards), Ardabil Prison, Tabriz Prison, Urmia Prison, Salmas Prison, Khoy Prison, Naqadeh Prison, Saqqez Prison, Baneh Prison, Marivan Prison, Kamyaran Prison, Tabas Prison, Khorin Prison in Varamin, and Rudsar Prison in Gilan.