The prisons of Isfahan Esfahan and Bam in Kerman joined the hunger strike
On Monday, September 2, 2024, a group of prisoners in Bam Prison announced that they would join the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign starting Tuesday, September 3, 2024. This declaration marked the beginning of the 32nd week of the prisoners’ strike. The inclusion of Bam Prison represents a pivotal moment in the campaign, increasing the total number of participating prisons to 21.
The decision of Bam Prison’s inmates to join underscores the growing discontent within Iran’s prison system and widespread opposition to the death penalty. Their participation reflects a broader trend of resistance against state-imposed executions, often carried out under questionable circumstances and without fair trials.
This week, political prisoners issued a statement on September 3rd. In part of the statement, it reads:
“Last Tuesday, August 27, while hundreds of prisoners were on a hunger strike as part of the ‘Tuesdays Against Execution Campaign’ in various prisons across the country, the judicial system of the religious dictatorship ruling Iran committed an inhumane act. They executed a prisoner in public in the city of Sabzevar. This medieval behavior sparked outrage and disgust among human rights communities and the public.
At the same time, in other parts of this land trapped under a tyrannical minority, two other crimes occurred, where the ‘right to life’ of two citizens was brutally taken from them. The first was a prisoner named Seyed Mohammad Mir-Mousavi (in a detention center in the city of Lahijan) and the second was another prisoner named Komeil Abolhasani, who was horrifically tortured to death by police and security forces in Tonekabon prison.
Recent developments indicate that the Iranian society and its citizens have reached a clear understanding that they must resist this religious dictatorship. Despite all the pressures, this resistance has manifested itself among the prisoners, who have been on hunger strike for thirty-two consecutive weeks in the ‘Tuesdays Against Execution Campaign’.
According to reliable sources in human rights media, this campaign has expanded to 21 different prisons across the country over the past week, with the addition of prisoners from Asadabad Prison in Isfahan and Bam Prison in Kerman province. Furthermore, last week, it received the support of 68 Iranian and international human rights organizations and institutions.”
Prisons Involved in the Campaign
As of September 2024, 21 prisons across Iran have joined the “Tuesdays Against Execution” campaign. These prisons include some of the most notorious detention centers in the country, known for their harsh conditions and severe treatment of inmates. The prisons actively participating in the campaign include:
- Evin Prison (Tehran): Known for holding political prisoners, various wings of Evin, including the women’s ward and several men’s wards (4, 6, 8), are part of the movement.
- Ghezelhesar Prison (Karaj): Inmates from Units 3 and 4 of this facility, one of Iran’s largest and most overcrowded prisons, have joined the protests.
- Central Prison of Karaj: This prison has seen a significant number of inmates join the hunger strike.
- Khorramabad Prison: Located in the western part of the country, this facility is known for its harsh conditions.
- Nezam Prison (Shiraz): This prison’s participation highlights the broad spectrum of supporters.
- Mashhad Prison: Inmates from Mashhad, a major city in northeastern Iran, are actively involved.
- Qaem Shahr Prison: This northern Iranian prison is another participant in the movement.
- Lakan Prison (Rasht): Both male and female inmates from this facility in northern Iran have joined the protests.
- Tabriz Prison: Located in northwestern Iran, this prison has seen significant participation.
- Ardabil Prison: Another northwestern facility with inmates involved in the campaign.
- Khoy Prison: Inmates from this prison near the Turkish border are participating.
- Naghadeh Prison: Another prison in the West Azerbaijan province active in the movement.
- Urmia Prison: One of the larger prisons in the province, with notable participation.
- Salmas Prison: Located in West Azerbaijan, this facility is also part of the campaign.
- Saqqez Prison: Inmates from this Kurdish-majority city have joined the protests.
- Baneh Prison: Another Kurdish-majority city contributing to the campaign.
- Marivan Prison: This prison, also in Kurdistan Province, is involved.
- Kamiyaran Prison: This facility has added its voice to the growing chorus against executions.
- Tehran’s Greater Prison: The involvement of prisoners from this facility marks a significant expansion of the campaign.
- Asadabad Mobarakeh Prison (Isfahan): Inmates here joined the campaign in its 32nd week.
- Bam Prison: The latest addition, marking a critical expansion of the campaign.
