**Report on the Campaign Against the Death Penalty in Iran**
On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign entered its thirty-eighth week, continuing its efforts in 22 prisons nationwide. This statement highlights the recent increase in executions throughout October and reiterates the campaign’s core mission:
The campaign seeks to challenge and ultimately abolish the death penalty in Iran. Its mission has been to amplify the voices of prisoners on death row, irrespective of their charges. As noted by Ms. Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, in her recent remarks, we call upon her, the Human Rights Council, and all international human rights organizations to take urgent and decisive action to halt this killing machine. Stronger, more immediate measures are essential to protect the lives of countless vulnerable prisoners.
The full text of the statement for the thirty-eighth week of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign reads as follows:
The thirty-eighth week of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign continues across 22 prisons. Coinciding with the World Day Against the Death Penalty, the Iranian regime executed seven individuals in various prisons. Last week alone, over 36 people were executed, with 19 hanged on October 9. Among those executed were two juvenile offenders, Mehdi Barahoui and Ali Shirvani, who were just 17 and 15 years old, respectively, at the time of their arrests.
In addition to these continued executions, the regime’s judiciary escalated its violent measures by referring the cases of eight theft suspects for hand amputation on October 13. This brutality, occurring around the World Day Against the Death Penalty, highlights the regime’s disregard for international human rights laws and appears intended to intimidate the populace, suppressing potential protests and uprisings.
Members of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign have maintained a weekly hunger strike every Tuesday for over eight months in protest of inhumane death sentences. Originally initiated in January 2024 at Gohardasht Prison, the campaign has spread to 22 prisons across the country, driven by the unwavering commitment of the striking prisoners.
The goal of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign is to challenge and ultimately abolish the inhumane practice of capital punishment in Iran. Throughout this time, it has worked to amplify the voices of prisoners on death row, regardless of their charges. As highlighted by Ms. Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, in her recent comments, we urge her, the Human Rights Council, and all international human rights organizations to take more urgent and decisive actions to halt this killing machine. Stronger, more immediate measures are critical to safeguarding the lives of many vulnerable prisoners.
We also call upon all conscientious individuals and independent, grassroots media to support efforts toward abolishing the death penalty and actively confronting its use. This movement must become a deeply rooted part of society’s values to build a future grounded in freedom, equality, peace, and democracy, underpinned by an independent judiciary.
In this spirit, on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, members of this campaign will continue their hunger strike for the thirty-eighth consecutive week in 22 different prisons. Among the striking prisoners are those in the following facilities:
– Evin Prison (Women’s Ward, Wards 4 and 8)
– Gohardasht Prison (Units 3 and 4)
– Central Prison of Karaj
– Greater Tehran Prison
– Khorramabad Prison
– Arak Prison
– Asadabad Prison in Isfahan
– Military Prison in Shiraz
– Bam Prison
– Mashhad Prison
– Lakan Prison in Rasht (Men’s and Women’s Wards)
– Qaemshahr Prison
– Ardabil Prison
– Tabriz Prison
– Urmia Prison
– Salmas Prison
– Khoy Prison
– Naqadeh Prison
– Saqez Prison
– Baneh Prison
– Marivan Prison
– Kamyaran Prison.
Tuesday October 15, 2024
