The campaign and hunger strike against the inhumane issuance and execution of the death penalty continue. On Tuesday, July 9, 2024, prisoners across Iran entered their 24th week of hunger strike as part of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign.
In a statement, prisoners highlighted the widespread boycott of what they called an “election circus” and described it as a defeat for Khamenei, renewing their call for public and international support. The statement continues as:
Recent developments, such as the shameless death sentence issued for Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist, and the arrest of Rana Kokour, the sister of a political prisoner, highlight the regime’s intensifying repression. The death sentence for Mojahed Korkour further exemplifies the regime’s growing disregard for human rights and the right to life.
Additionally, several other cases demand urgent attention:
- Hoora Nikbakht, who has been detained for 27 days under uncertain conditions in Evin Prison.
- Political prisoner Pouya Ghobadi, who has been held for over four and a half months on charges related to Baghi (activities against the regime).
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The 24th Hunger Strike in the “No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign
To the honorable and freedom-loving people of Iran,
Peace be upon you.
Your recent efforts to delegitimize the Supreme Leader’s regime were so powerful that they forced Khamenei to momentarily acknowledge your strength and adjust his stance on election participation. However, there is no doubt that the official statistics released are fraudulent. In the prisons, despite the threats and attempts to manipulate ordinary prisoners, the decisive boycott of the regime’s show elections has been a resounding success.
We, the prisoners of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, express our deepest gratitude to you, the free people of Iran, for your immense efforts. On the eve of the 24th week of our hunger strike to protest the inhumane issuance and execution of the death penalty, we share with you a bitter experience and ask for your help in preventing its recurrence.
A study of the behavior of the regime’s repressive apparatus over the past years reveals a troubling pattern: whenever there is a powerful display of resistance by the majority of the Iranian people against the despotic minority ruling the country, the government’s repressive machine escalates its actions. The regime often resorts to executions as a means of instilling fear and intimidation, hoping to suppress potential uprisings and protests against its tyranny.
We predict that, just as the Islamic Republic reduced executions leading up to the “Appointments” show, the regime will now accelerate its use of death sentences as a tool of repression. In doing so, it will intensify its crackdown on the families of those seeking justice. Recent developments, such as the shameless death sentence for labor activist Sharifeh Mohammadi and the arrest of Rana Kokour, the sister of a political prisoner, highlight the regime’s growing cruelty. The death sentence handed down to Mojahed Korkour is yet another indication of the regime’s worsening human rights abuses and its blatant disregard for the right to life.
We, the prisoners of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign in Evin Prison (Wards 4, 6, 8), Ghezel Hesar (Units 3 and 4), Khorramabad, Markazi Karaj, Tabriz, Khoy, Naqadeh, Saqqez, and Mashhad, will go on hunger strike tomorrow, Tuesday, July 10, for the 24th week in opposition to the death sentences, particularly the shameless and disgraceful death sentence issued for Sharifeh Mohammadi.
One of the fabricated charges against Sharifeh Mohammadi is the distribution of the “No to the Death Penalty” flyer. Trying to halt the execution machine is not a crime—it should be a public demand. Just as Sharifeh’s supporters chanted “No to the Death Penalty” and called for her release on the streets this past Sunday, we too strongly condemn this cruel sentence. We call for nationwide support to stop the regime’s execution machine and demand justice for all those oppressed under it.
We call on all human rights organizations, activists against the death penalty, political parties, groups, trade unions, and members of the media to give greater attention to the issue of the death penalty and to actively oppose it in the coming weeks and months. We also warn against the dangers of neglecting this critical issue and the dire consequences it may have.
We believe that the difficult struggle against the death penalty will only be achieved through “solidarity, collective action, and inclusive activism.” The most effective actions can be led by the prisoners themselves, as no one understands the depth of suffering and pain experienced by those on death row or who have already been executed. The injustice inflicted upon them and their families is beyond words. We urgently call on all prisoners, particularly political prisoners, in jails across the country to join this campaign against the death penalty.
