Iran’s “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign held its 60th week in 38 prisons across the country, with inmates holding hunger strikes in protest to executions in Iran. The campaign, which has been going on since January 2024, has gained significant momentum, with detainees organizing weekly acts of defiance against the Iranian regime’s systematic execution of political prisoners and other detainees.
In its weekly statement, the campaign, wished a happy Nowruz to the “beloved people of Iran and Iranians around the world. As the national festival of Chaharshanbe Suri (Fire Festival) approaches, the campaign hopes that the people’s resistance against tyranny and executions in Iran will burn brighter like the flames of this ancient festival, putting an end to darkness, executions, killings, and violence.”
The inmates warned that the regime has executed at least 116 people in the month of Esfand (February-March). “In a shocking statistic, 1,148 prisoners were brutally executed in the year 1403 (March 2024 – March 2025), setting yet another shameful record,” the prisoners wrote.
In another inhumane act, on March 13, a citizen named Heydar Mohammadi (Hasanvand) was killed under torture by officers in the Nahavand detention center.
The statement warns that as part of this ongoing repression, the regime’s Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of political prisoner Hatam Ozdemir, who has been sentenced to death in Urmia Central Prison. “This means that his execution could take place at any moment,” the statement reads in part.
“Despite facing significant pressure, the ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ campaign has endured and resisted oppression and executions for a second Nowruz,” the campaign declared. “It hopes to continue its fight against death sentences with even greater determination and strength in the year 1404 (March 2025 – March 2026).”
“All the support received over the past year has been invaluable to us,” the prisoners wrote. “We extend our gratitude to political parties, organizations, and civil, labor, and human rights groups both inside and outside Iran. We also appreciate various segments of society, including workers, teachers, nurses, retirees, writers, artists, justice-seeking families, and students who have opposed executions and supported this campaign in any way, directly or indirectly.”
The campaign has now expanded in 38 different prisons to take even a small step toward saving the lives of thousands of death row prisoners. Per the statement, “The regime’s prisons are filled with inmates who may face execution in the coming year. From Ghezel Hesar to Sheyban, and from Tabriz Central Prison to Vakilabad, Adelabad, Zahedan, Sanandaj, and Urmia, one can trace the trail of crimes that will be carried out unless serious action is taken.”
For example, out of approximately 130 female prisoners in Lakan Prison, 14 have been sentenced to death, with execution orders already issued for two of them. Lakan Prison is just one of dozens of such facilities.
“In this regard, we call on all prisoners across the country and all those who seek freedom and justice to join and support this campaign,” the statement reads in part.
The prisoners participating in the 60th week of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” hunger strike are from 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 (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, Rudsar Prison in Gilan, Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz, Ramhormoz Prison, Talesh Prison, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz (men’s and women’s wards), Joveyn Prison, Borazjan Prison, Gonbad-e Kavus Prison, Dizel Abad Prison in Kermanshah, Chobindar Prison in Qazvin, and Miandoab Prison.