The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign entered its 46th week today, coinciding with International Human Rights Day. The campaign gained momentum as prisoners in 25 Iranian prisons began hunger strikes to protest the regime’s widespread use of capital punishment.
In a statement, participating prisoners listed the involved prisons, including Evin (women’s ward, wards 4 and 8), Ghezel Hesar, Karaj Central Prison, Tehran’s Great Prison, and many others across the country. They decried the Iranian regime’s rampant human rights abuses and highlighted the regime’s execution record. “More than 100,000 people have been executed during the 45 years of this regime. In just the last 20 days, 75 individuals have been hanged, bringing the total to 770 in less than nine months of 2024,” the statement revealed.
The prisoners’ statement also drew parallels with atrocities in Syrian prisons, particularly the infamous Sednaya Prison, and warned against global inaction. “The horrors revealed in Syrian detention facilities should serve as a wake-up call to hold accountable those who perpetrate such crimes under the guise of ‘legal executions.’”
The campaign congratulated the people of Syria and the resilient prisoners who were recently freed after years of torture. It also emphasized that the Syrian developments represent a turning point for human rights activists and advocates globally, urging unified efforts against the death penalty.
#IranProtests: 45 Weeks of Defiance Against the Death Penalty Led by Prisonershttps://t.co/cJym5Tk8AF
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) December 3, 2024
The statement concluded with a call to action: “This campaign marks a pivotal moment to transform the fight against execution orders into a collective, unified movement capable of disarming oppressive rulers of this criminal tool.”
Full Text of the Statement:
On International Human Rights Day, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign Continues into Its 46th Week
December 10, 1948, marked a turning point when, after years of human rights violations by authoritarian and dictatorial governments, the United Nations designated this day as International Human Rights Day. The UN established a framework aimed at preventing further violations of human rights, seeking to protect individuals globally.
Now, 76 years later, we continue to witness blatant human rights abuses around the world, particularly in Iran. In addition to the brutal suppression of protests, the killing of desperate citizens, and the enforced disappearances of tens of thousands, over 100,000 people have been executed during the 45 years of this regime. In just the last 20 days, 75 individuals have been executed, and in less than nine months of 2024, 770 individuals have been hanged. It is no exaggeration to say that the regime of the Supreme Leader holds the global record for the most egregious human rights violations.
The coincidence of International Human Rights Day with the shocking revelations from Syria’s infamous prisons, such as Sednaya near Damascus, may seem coincidental. However, it serves as a stark warning to all conscientious individuals and human rights organizations to pursue justice more rigorously and hold the perpetrators of these atrocities accountable. These regimes continue their mass killings under the guise of “legal executions,” employing methods such as hangings, burying people alive, or using crushing devices and other forms of torture and execution. Yet, they offer no accountability for their actions.
The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign, now in its 46th week, congratulates the free people of Syria and the resilient prisoners who have been released after enduring years of torture. It also expresses hope for the liberation of Iranian prisoners and the Iranian people from execution orders.
On this International Human Rights Day, these events (particularly the revelations from Syria) are seen as a pivotal moment for human rights activists, freedom seekers, and humanitarians to strengthen their opposition to the death penalty. The campaign envisions this struggle evolving into a more widespread, collective, and unified movement to disarm oppressive rulers of this criminal weapon.
On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, during the 46th week of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign, prisoners in the following 25 prisons participated in hunger strikes:
- Evin Prison (women’s ward, wards 4 and 8)
- Ghezel Hesar Prison (units 3 and 4)
- Karaj Central Prison
- Tehran’s Great Prison
- Arak Prison
- Khorramabad Prison
- Asadabad Prison, Esfahan
- Dastgerd Prison, Esfahan
- Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz
- Nezam Prison, Shiraz
- Bam Prison
- Kahnouj Prison
- Mashhad Prison
- Qaemshahr Prison
- Rasht Prison (men’s and women’s wards)
- Ardabil Prison
- Tabriz Prison
- Urmia Prison
- Salmas Prison
- Khoy Prison
- Naqadeh Prison
- Saqqez Prison
- Baneh Prison
- Marivan Prison
- Kamyaran Prison
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
“No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign
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