On December 10, coinciding with World Human Rights Day, the No Execution Tuesdays Campaign issued a statement marking the 46th week of a hunger strike led by Iranian prisoners. The statement denounced Iran’s Velayat-e Faqih government as a global leader in human rights violations.
A Grim Record of Executions
The campaign highlighted the regime’s egregious human rights record, noting that over 100,000 people have been executed during the 45 years of its rule. The statement further revealed that in a span of just 20 days, 75 executions were carried out, and in less than nine months of 2024, a staggering 770 individuals were hanged.
Syria’s Prisons as a Stark Warning
The statement drew parallels between Iran’s actions and recent revelations from Syria, where horrifying reports of torture and abuse in prisons have emerged. It warned, “These atrocities are a wake-up call to all conscious individuals and human rights institutions to hold perpetrators accountable.” The authors criticized the use of “legal executions” to justify brutal crimes, describing methods that range from hangings to tortures involving “press machines” and other inhumane practices.
A Call for Unity Against Executions
The No Execution Tuesdays Campaign celebrated recent developments in Syria, including the release of prisoners who endured years of torture. The statement described these events as “a turning point” and urged human rights activists, freedom fighters, and concerned citizens to expand their opposition to the death penalty. The campaign called for the formation of a nationwide, unified movement to “disarm the regime of this criminal weapon.”
Hunger Strikes Across Iran
As part of the campaign, prisoners in 25 detention centers across Iran will stage a hunger strike on December 10. The list includes prominent prisons such as Evin, Qezel Hesar, Karaj Central, Fashafouyeh, and facilities in cities like Shiraz, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Urmia. Participants include inmates from various wards and units, underscoring the broad support for the movement.
A Growing Civil Movement
The No Execution Tuesdays Campaign began last year as a small protest by political prisoners, aiming to halt executions and end state violence. Over time, it has gained momentum with growing support from inmates across the country.
As the campaign continues to amplify its message, it seeks to shine a global spotlight on the Iranian regime’s human rights violations and inspire collective action to combat the death penalty.
