On the first Tuesday of the new Gregorian year 2025, the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign continued on January 7.

In the past week, prisoners at Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz and Ramhormoz Prison joined this campaign, bringing the total number of prisons participating in the hunger strike to 30 nationwide. On January 1, coinciding with the New Year, 21 individuals were executed by the Iranian regime. The campaign’s statement noted that during the year 2024, 1,000 individuals were executed by this regime, marking “another record of this regime’s crimes.”

The statement further emphasized that while members of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign are on hunger strike on January 7, 2025, it coincides with the anniversary of the criminal shooting down of the Ukrainian airplane. Fortunately, today we witness the unity and solidarity of all seekers of justice with the families of the victims of this tragedy.

The full text of the campaign’s statement is as follows:

Expansion of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign to 30 Different Prisons;

“Joining Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz and Ramhormoz Prison in the fiftieth week”

Traditionally, throughout the world, even during wars and conflicts between nations or states, ceasefires were observed on holidays and special occasions, or rulers would release captives and prisoners. However, now in Iran under religious tyrants, it seems we are in a parallel universe where all traditions and values have been trampled upon and anti-values have become valued.

On January 1 alone, coinciding with the New Year, this regime hanged 21 citizens of this land. Since the beginning of Dey (December 21, 2024), more than 80 individuals have been executed. The execution of 1,000 individuals in the Gregorian year 2024 is another record of this government’s crimes.

Meanwhile, many other governments around the world are halting and abolishing executions; so far, 128 countries have abolished this medieval sentence. In this context, just a few days ago Zimbabwe completely abolished the death penalty as a New Year’s gift. Yet in occupied Iran, we witness a daily increase in executions, repression, and torture.

The freedom-loving and resistant people of Iran have proven that they will never be intimidated in defending their values and freedoms. Even at the cost of their lives, they will defend their human rights and legitimate demands. Now that the government is executing and repressing to instill fear and prevent popular uprisings, the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign is expanding. Recently, several prisoners at Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz and Ramhormoz announced their participation in this campaign in protest against death sentences and will be on hunger strike.

Members of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign are on hunger strike today (January 7) while marking the anniversary of the criminal shooting down of a Ukrainian airplane. Fortunately, we see today a strong unity among all seekers of justice with families who lost loved ones in this tragedy. This unity is invaluable and should lead to solidarity with the families of those executed, including prisoners convicted of social and public crimes. We extend our condolences to all families mourning for those who died on the path to freedom and equality while honoring the memory of those who perished in the Ukrainian airplane crash. We emphasize that seekers of justice and victims of government crimes must oppose capital punishment and demand support for the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign.

We express our gratitude to all domestic and international activists who have supported this campaign and once again urge all dear people of Iran and around the world to strive to institutionalize the legitimate demand for “No to Execution” within society, resist this inhumane sentence, and be assured that victory is attainable.

The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign has expanded with Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz and Ramhormoz Prison joining 30 different prisons. Members will be on hunger strike during this fiftieth week at the following prisons:

Evin Prison (Women’s Ward, Ward 4 and Ward 8), Qezel Hesar Prison (Unit 2 and Unit 4), Central Karaj Prison, Greater Tehran Prison, Khorin Prison in Varamin, Arak Prison, Khorramabad Prison, Asadabad Isfahan Prison, Dastgerd Isfahan Prison, Shayban Prison in Ahvaz, Nezam Prison in Shiraz, Bam Prison, Kahnouj Prison, Tabas Prison, Mashhad Prison, Qaemshahr Prison, Lakan Rasht Prison (Men’s and Women’s Wards), Rudsar Prison, Ardabil Prison, Tabriz Prison, Urmia Prison, Salmas Prison, Khoy Prison, Naqdeh Prison, Saqqez Prison, Baneh Prison, Marivan Prison, Kamyaran Prison, Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz, Ramhormoz Prison.

“No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign

Fiftieth Week – Tuesday, January 7, 2025