The International Committee in Search of Justice (ISJ), representing over 4,000 cross-party lawmakers globally, has issued an urgent plea to halt the executions of six political prisoners in Iran. Letters addressing Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, underline the severity of the situation.
The Case of Six Political Prisoners
The prisoners—Abolhassan Montazer (65), Pouya Ghobadi (32), Vahid Bani-Amerian (32), Babak Alipour (33), Ali Akbar Daneshvarkar (57), and Mohammad Taghavi (58)—have been sentenced to death on charges widely condemned as politically motivated. Allegations include affiliation with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) and conspiracy against national security. Their sentences were delivered after prolonged torture and interrogation, a hallmark of Iran’s judicial process under Judge Iman Afshari of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court.
The ISJ highlights these cases as part of a troubling trend, recalling the recent unjust executions of four other prisoners under similar charges. These actions, according to the ISJ, reflect systemic violations of human rights and due process in Iran.
Escalation of Executions
The ISJ’s letters draw attention to a disturbing surge in executions under Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Since his term began in August 2024, at least 541 individuals, including 17 women, have been executed. This increase coincides with growing civil unrest and resistance within the country. The Iranian judiciary, acting under Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, appears to be using capital punishment as a tool to suppress dissent and silence opposition.
International Responsibility
The ISJ implores the global community, especially the United Nations and the European Union, to take decisive action. Specifically, the ISJ calls for:
- The immediate halt of executions.
- The unconditional release of political prisoners in Iran.
The letters emphasize the role of international institutions in combating impunity. The ISJ references the findings of Prof. Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, who in July 2024 linked the regime’s current actions to its history of atrocity crimes, including the infamous 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners. Failure to act now, the ISJ warns, risks enabling further crimes against humanity.
The UN as a Beacon of Hope
Addressing Volker Türk, the ISJ states, “The UN has always stood as a beacon for human rights and democratic values, and at this critical moment, your leadership can help prevent a grave injustice and potentially save lives.”
This global call to action reminds the international community of its collective responsibility to stand against tyranny and to safeguard fundamental human rights. Time is of the essence in preventing these executions and protecting the lives of those unjustly condemned.
About the ISJ
The International Committee in Search of Justice was founded in 2008 to advocate for the Iranian democratic opposition. It evolved into a non-profit NGO in 2014, encompassing elected officials, former dignitaries, and human rights advocates. The ISJ remains steadfast in promoting democracy, freedom, and human rights globally.
, representing over 4,000 cross-party lawmakers globally, has issued an urgent plea to halt the executions of six political prisoners in Iran.){kind=link}