Political prisoners across Iran have launched a coordinated hunger strike in 35 prisons as part of the 55th week of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign, an initiative aimed at resisting the regime’s escalating use of capital punishment. The movement, which has grown into a nationwide act of defiance, continues to challenge the Iranian regime’s judiciary amid an ongoing wave of executions.
In a statement marking the latest week of the campaign, prisoners condemned the clerical regime’s increased reliance on executions, revealing that at least 1,021 people have been hanged in the past year. The statement also highlighted two new politically motivated death sentences and warned against the imminent execution of Kurdish political prisoner Pakhshan Azizi. The campaign vowed to resist and called for urgent action to stop these executions.
Below is the full translated statement of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign:
The 55th week of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign across 35 prisons nationwide
The sentencing of political prisoner Pezhman Soltani to death and the campaign’s warning regarding the imminent execution of Pakhshan Azizi
In these days when the clerical regime finds itself increasingly isolated both domestically and internationally, it has turned to repression and executions as its primary means of survival, intensifying this course of action. Since February 11, 2024, the regime has executed approximately 1,021 people by hanging alone.
Among the latest cases, Pezhman Soltani, a Kurdish political prisoner, who was detained in the aftermath of the 2022 nationwide uprising, has been sentenced to execution in a sham trial by Branch 1 of the Criminal Court of Urmia on charges of killing a Basij paramilitary member.
Meanwhile, in another inhumane ruling, Pakhshan Azizi, another political prisoner whose death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court weeks ago, has been denied the right to appeal, placing her at imminent risk of execution.
In response to these developments, both Amnesty International and UN Special Rapporteur Mai Sato have condemned this inhumane ruling and called for urgent intervention to prevent another state-sanctioned murder.
Deeply alarmed to receive reports that Iran's Supreme Court has rejected the judicial review request for Pakhshan Azizi's conviction&death sentence. Her imminent execution would violate int' human rights law. I urge Iranian authorities to immediately halt her execution.
— Mai Sato (@drmaisato) February 7, 2025
The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign warns that if Pakhshan Azizi is transferred out of the general ward for execution, new measures will be immediately enacted to counter this unjust ruling, and no effort will be spared to stop this crime.
We call on all people and human rights activists to take action in any way possible to stop this execution. This time, we must not grieve another lost life; we must resist before the crime occurs. This is a serious test for all of us.
Meanwhile, a number of political prisoners in the women’s ward and Ward 8 of Evin Prison have been denied visitation rights for protesting the execution orders and forced transfers of two political prisoners, Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani.
We, the members of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign, united as one voice across 35 prisons nationwide, strongly condemn all death sentences issued in Iran and declare our continued resistance against the ruling regime’s execution policies.
We also warn all international organizations, human rights groups, and the global community that in Iran, the execution machine does not serve justice—it is an instrument of state terror used to silence opposition and prolong the regime’s rule.
🚨 55th Week of "No to Execution Tuesdays" – Hunger Strike in 35 Iranian Prisons
On Feb 11, prisoners in 35 prisons across Iran launched a hunger strike against the regime’s executions.
📢 In their statement, they warned:
"Since Feb 2024, at least 1,021 people have been… pic.twitter.com/hBQjiRjhs0— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) February 11, 2025
Every execution is a price paid by the Iranian people to cover up this government’s crimes. For this reason, we once again urge all civil society organizations and domestic and international entities to take urgent action and stop this ongoing crime against humanity.
The members of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign will go on hunger strike on Tuesday, February 13, 2025, in 35 prisons, including:
- Evin Prison (women’s ward, Ward 4, and Ward 8)
- Ghezel Hesar Prison (units 3 and 4)
- Karaj Central Prison
- Greater Tehran Prison
- Khorin Prison in Varamin
- Arak Prison
- Khorramabad Prison
- Asadabad Prison in Isfahan
- Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan
- Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz
- Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz
- Nezam Prison in Shiraz
- Adelabad Prison in Shiraz (men’s and women’s wards)
- Borazjan Prison
- Ramhormoz Prison
- Bam Prison
- Kahnuj Prison
- Tabas Prison
- Joveyn Prison
- Mashhad Prison
- Qaemshahr Prison
- Lakan Prison in Rasht (men’s and women’s wards)
- Rudsar Prison
- Talesh Prison
- Ardabil Prison
- Tabriz Prison
- Urmia Prison
- Salmas Prison
- Khoy Prison
- Naqadeh Prison
- Saqqez Prison
- Baneh Prison
- Marivan Prison
- Kamyaran Prison
- Gonbad-e Kavus Prison
Tuesday, February 13, 2025
“No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign