Iran: Seventh Day of Hunger Strike and Sit-in by 1,500 Death-Row Prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison

Families of Hundreds of Prisoners Rally Outside Ghezel Hesar Prison to Protest Death Sentences

Today, Sunday, July 19, 2026, the hunger strike and sit-in by 1,500 death-row prisoners in Unit 2 of Ghezel Hesar Prison entered its seventh day. For a week, these prisoners have been protesting and staging a sit-in against the mullahs’ execution machine, demanding an immediate halt to these inhumane death sentences.

Holding placards such as “The right of Iranian youth is not prison and execution,” the striking prisoners declared their support for the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign and emphasized that they would continue their protest until their demands are met.

Coinciding with the seventh day of the strike, more than 500 family members of the prisoners gathered outside Ghezel Hesar Prison to demand the revocation of the death sentences. The prison’s repressive guards raided the gathering, attempting to disperse the families by creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, but they were met with fierce resistance and protest chants.

As the prisoners complete the first week of their strike, the regime’s henchmen have deprived them of basic necessities. Reports indicate a severe deterioration in the physical condition of several hunger strikers. Meanwhile, prison wardens and the regime’s security apparatus are attempting to silence the protest and prevent news from leaking out by severely restricting the prisoners’ communications.

The Iranian Resistance calls on the United Nations, its relevant rapporteurs, and all human rights advocacy organizations to support the striking prisoners and take urgent action to save the lives of thousands of death-row prisoners in Iran. It once again emphasizes the necessity of an international fact-finding mission visiting Iranian prisons.

Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)

 19 July 2026