January 2025

The European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA) and its Human Rights Officer, Alexis Anagnostakis, have joined 302 prominent international figures in signing an urgent open letter to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The letter calls for immediate intervention to halt the imminent execution of Iranian political prisoners Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani.

The situation for Ehsani and Hassani is dire. Both activists have been transferred to solitary confinement in the security ward, a move that frequently precedes execution in Iran. Their sentencing follows a deeply flawed legal process, raising serious concerns about the fairness of their trials.

Ehsani and Hassani are well-known for their peaceful activism against capital punishment, particularly through their involvement in the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign. Despite their dedication to human rights, they now face death sentences imposed by a judiciary that has often been criticized for its lack of due process. While their lawyers have filed an emergency motion for retrial, the unpredictability of Iran’s judicial system leaves little assurance that justice will be served.

In solidarity with human rights defenders worldwide, the ECBA urgently calls on UN High Commissioner Volker Türk and UN Special Rapporteur Dr. Mai Sato to intervene immediately and prevent this grave injustice.

How You Can Help:

  • Read and share the open letter to raise awareness of this urgent issue.
  • Use social media to spread the message with hashtags: #SaveMehdiHassani #SaveBehrouzEhsani #StopExecutionsInIran

The international community cannot remain silent while the lives of these activists hang in the balance. Now is the time to take a stand for justice and human rights. Join us in demanding immediate action to halt these executions and uphold the principles of fairness and due process.

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