On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, members of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign organized hunger strikes in 25 prisons across Iran, marking the 45th consecutive week of their protests.
In a statement released on this day, the campaign highlighted the alarming rise in executions in Iranian prisons over the past week, stating:
“Since last Tuesday, more than 28 individuals have been hanged in various prisons, including two juvenile offenders who were executed in the prisons of Yazd and Qezel Hesar. According to published reports, the number of executions since the beginning of the Iranian year of 1403 (March 20) has reached approximately 743.”
The statement also condemned other actions by Iran’s judiciary, describing them as “inhumane.” The campaign cited the case of Mehrab Abdollahi-Zadeh, a political prisoner detained since 2022, who has been sentenced to death in Urmia Prison. Additionally, death sentences have been issued for six political prisoners in Evin Prison on charges of “rebellion.”
The campaign’s statement underscores growing concerns over the systematic use of the death penalty in Iran, which disproportionately affects political prisoners, minors, and marginalized groups.
The full text of the campaign’s statement is as follows:
The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign has entered its 45th week in 25 different prisons
Death Sentences for Six Political Prisoners Linked to the “No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign
On the eve of December 6th (Student Day in Iran), we extend our heartfelt congratulations to all students, especially those who, in recent years, have been at the forefront of uprisings and protests against the oppressive rule of the Supreme Leader. These brave students turned universities into bastions of resistance, freedom, and equality. Many were arrested, and some lost their lives in the struggle for the ideals of the student movement and the Iranian people’s aspirations. We honor the memory of all those who perished, including the students.
As usual, the regime’s killing machine operates relentlessly. Over the past week, more than 28 individuals have been executed in various prisons, including two juvenile offenders who were hanged in Yazd and Ghezel Hesar prisons. According to reports, since the beginning of 2024, approximately 743 individuals have been executed. The recent surge in executions, often described as medieval punishments, has been so alarming that it prompted members of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign in Lakan Prison, one of the most notorious execution centers in recent months, to issue a public protest statement earlier this week.
A regime that has reached a deadlock in addressing economic crises and is facing widespread protests from all walks of life seeks to instill fear through repression, executions, and regressive laws like the Hijab and Chastity Bill.
In this context, the judiciary recently issued a death sentence for Mehrab Abdullahzadeh, a political prisoner in Urmia Prison arrested during the 2022 protests. Additionally, six other political prisoners in Evin Prison—Vahid Bani Amerian, Pouya Ghobadi, Babak Alipour, Ali Akbar Daneshvar, Abolhassan Montazer, and Mohammad Taghavi—were sentenced to death on charges of rebellion. These individuals are active members of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign.
A deeply concerning aspect of these cases is the use of the judiciary’s controversial “judge’s knowledge” principle, which has been repeatedly exploited to issue execution sentences without substantial evidence. This method, combined with months of solitary confinement, torture, and forced confessions, exposes the fabricated nature of many such cases.
Just weeks ago, death sentences were also handed down to six political prisoners known as the “Ekbatan Kids”. However, these ruthless rulings will not go unanswered. The brave men and women of Iran have shown time and again that they will not be intimidated and remain determined in their struggle for freedom and justice.
The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign stands firmly against the inhumane act of execution under any pretext, asserting that the right to life is a fundamental human dignity. The campaign calls for the abolition of the death penalty and an end to violence and repression in Iran.
We urge all human rights organizations and advocates to take immediate and effective action to save the lives of prisoners and ensure the release of all political detainees. Those responsible for these atrocities must be held accountable before justice.
We also extend our gratitude to the courageous individuals who, despite oppression, continue to protest executions in the heart of Tehran and to workers, retirees, teachers, and nurses who raise their voices against the death penalty in their gatherings. We thank students who actively support the campaign. We believe these actions must expand and persist to force the regime into submission. Collective, united, and practical actions against executions remain our unwavering focus.
On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the 45th week of the campaign, members of “No to Executions Tuesdays” in 25 different prisons will go on hunger strike.
Participating prisons include:
- Evin Prison (Women’s Ward, Wards 4 & 8)
- Ghezel Hesar Prison (Units 3 & 4)
- Central Karaj Prison
- Greater Tehran Prison
- Arak Prison
- Khorramabad Prison
- Asadabad Prison (Isfahan)
- Dastgerd Prison (Isfahan)
- Sheiban Prison (Ahvaz)
- Shiraz Military Prison
- Bam Prison
- Kahnuj Prison
- Mashhad Prison
- Qaemshahr Prison
- 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
#NoToExecutionsTuesdays
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
