May 20, 2025 – As Iran sinks deeper into crisis, with systemic corruption and authoritarian inefficiency disrupting daily life and depriving citizens of essential services like water and electricity, the state has intensified its use of capital punishment. In response, Iranian political prisoners across the country are entering the 69th consecutive week of a coordinated protest under the banner of “No to Execution Tuesdays.”
The prisoners’ new statement, released today, condemns the regime’s deliberate escalation of executions:
“The issuance and execution of inhumane death sentences have not only continued but have escalated with clear intent from the regime.”
Despite international outcry and domestic unrest, the Islamic Republic continues to hide the true scale of its violence:
“This government consistently refuses to disclose accurate data on the number of prisoners and executions.”
According to reports received by the campaign, at least 129 individuals—including four women—have been executed since early May. Just last week alone, 25 prisoners, including two juvenile offenders, were executed in Malayer and Adelabad (Shiraz) prisons:
“These executions were carried out without hesitation or regard for public opinion or international human rights bodies, robbing these individuals of their right to life.”
As executions increase, so too does resistance. Families of those on death row are speaking out, and young people across Iran are joining the campaign through grassroots, creative forms of protest:
“In response to this violence and the systematic violation of the right to life, we are witnessing growing protests by the families of death row prisoners, alongside widespread support from youth across various cities.”
The statement salutes this growing solidarity:
“We, the members of the campaign, salute all supporters of the ‘No to Execution’ movement and call on all people—especially the youth—to raise their voices against this inhumane punishment in every street and neighborhood.”
In a clear call to action, the prisoners urge the public to support grieving families:
“We urge all opponents of the death penalty to stand in solidarity with grieving families and not leave them alone during protest gatherings.”
Last week marked a milestone in the campaign’s expansion. Thanks to the mobilization of Iranians inside and outside the country:
“A powerful wave of solidarity emerged around the ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ campaign.”
Three more prisons—Mahabad, Bukan, and Yasuj—have officially joined the weekly hunger strike:
“With the addition of these three prisons, the number of participating facilities has now reached 44.”
This week’s protest, taking place on Tuesday, May 20, 2025 (30 Ordibehesht 1404), will see prisoners in all 44 facilities refusing food in protest against the death penalty.
📍 List of the 44 Prisons Participating in the 69th Week of Hunger Strikes:
- Evin Prison (Women’s Ward, Wards 4 and 8)
- Ghezel Hesar Prison (Units 3 and 4)
- Karaj Central Prison
- Greater Tehran Prison
- Khurin Varamin Prison
- Choobindar Qazvin Prison
- Arak Prison
- Khorramabad Prison
- Asadabad Isfahan Prison
- Dastgerd Isfahan Prison
- Sheyban Ahvaz Prison
- Sepidar Ahvaz Prison (Women and Men)
- Shiraz Military Prison
- Adelabad Shiraz Prison (Women and Men)
- Zahedan Prison (Women)
- Borazjan Prison
- Ramhormoz Prison
- Behbahan Prison
- Bam Prison
- Kahnouj Prison
- Tabas Prison
- Mashhad Prison
- Gonbad-e Kavus Prison
- Qaemshahr Prison
- Rasht Prison (Women and Men)
- Rudsar Prison
- Haviq Talesh Prison
- Azbar Lāhijān Prison
- Dieselabad Kermanshah Prison
- Ardabil Prison
- Tabriz Prison
- Urmia Prison
- Salmas Prison
- Khoy Prison
- Naqadeh Prison
- Miandoab Prison
- Saqqez Prison
- Baneh Prison
- Marivan Prison
- Sanandaj Prison
- Kamyaran Prison
- Mahabad Prison
- Bukan Prison
- Yasuj Prison
