The international community has been gravely concerned about the recent death sentences handed down to two Iranian political prisoners, Behrouz Ehsani (69) and Mehdi Hassani (48), both supporters of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). These sentences, issued by the Iranian Revolutionary Court on charges of “waging war against God” and “corruption on Earth,” are viewed as part of a broader campaign by the Iranian regime to suppress political opposition, especially around the anniversary of the 2022 nationwide protests.
Various human rights organizations and political bodies have condemned these actions, calling for international intervention. Notably, the Committee of Romanian Parliamentarians for a Free Iran has urged the United Nations to take swift measures to prevent the executions, emphasizing Iran’s violations of international human rights standards, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture (CAT). These groups argue that Iran’s use of torture and execution as political tools blatantly contravenes these international agreements.
Similarly, Hands Off Cain, an organization dedicated to abolishing the death penalty, has issued an urgent appeal to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and other global leaders. Their statement highlights the Iranian regime’s history of atrocities, including the 1988 massacre of political prisoners, drawing parallels to current events. They advocate for a universal moratorium on executions, which they argue could save lives and provide time for the eventual abolition of capital punishment worldwide.
The Australian Supporters of Democracy in Iran and the German Solidarity Committee for a Free Iran (DSFI) have echoed these calls, condemning the death sentences and urging international bodies, including the UN and the European Union, to intervene. These organizations stress the urgency of the situation, noting that Ehsani, Hassani, and a third prisoner, Mohammad Javad Vafaie Thani (a 29-year-old boxing coach facing his third death sentence), are all at imminent risk of execution.
Across all statements, there is a clear message: Iran’s actions violate international human rights laws, and immediate intervention is necessary to prevent further atrocities. These appeals call for strong public condemnation, the activation of UN human rights mechanisms, and efforts to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its ongoing repression and violence against political dissidents.
