Mothers and children of inmates in Ghezel Hesar prison call for an end to executions as security forces violently disperse peaceful protest
As Iran faces a surge in executions, anger and despair are growing among families of prisoners condemned to death. Reports from across the country indicate a rapid increase in hangings, particularly in Ghezel Hesar prison near Karaj, where many inmates have been executed in recent months. Observers describe this escalation as part of a broader policy of intimidation and suppression aimed at silencing dissent and instilling fear in society.
On Sunday morning, October 26, 2025, a group of families of prisoners facing execution in Ghezel Hesar gathered outside the regime’s parliament in Tehran to protest against the ongoing wave of executions.
Most of the participants were mothers and wives of death row inmates, holding handwritten signs and chanting slogans such as “Do not execute!” and “No to executions in Ghezel Hesar!” The peaceful demonstration drew the attention of people in the area as the families demanded justice and the right to life for their loved ones.
Among the protesters were several children carrying placards that read:
“Executing one person does not end a mistake — it begins new suffering for innocent children.”
According to eyewitness accounts, regime security forces quickly attacked the protesters, violently dispersing them and threatening those who refused to leave. The brutality of the response reflected the regime’s growing fear of public gatherings that challenge its authority, even when led by grieving families and children.
Despite the assault, the families vowed to continue their protest. They have already agreed to gather again in the coming days at other public locations in Tehran to voice their opposition to executions and to demand justice and dignity for the victims.
The demonstration underscores a rising spirit of defiance among ordinary Iranians who, despite the risks, are confronting the regime’s machinery of death. The voices of mothers and children standing before parliament symbolize a growing rejection of state violence — and a deep yearning for a future free from fear and repression.
