The Dutch Group of Friends of a Free Iran (FOFI) has issued an urgent appeal for the United Nations and the global community to take immediate action in response to the alarming surge in executions in Iran. In a declaration dated September 18, 2024, FOFI highlighted the recent death sentences of two political prisoners, Behrouz Ehsani, 69, and Mehdi Hassani, 48, who were convicted on fabricated charges related to their support for the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI). Both men have endured severe physical and psychological torture during their imprisonment in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison.
The organization emphasized that these executions, alongside the broader trend of repression, are part of the regime’s strategy to silence political dissent. Since the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian, took office, the Iranian regime has escalated its use of executions, with 160 recorded in August 2024 alone, contributing to a total of 440 executions so far in 2024.
The Dutch Group FOFI made five urgent demands to the international community:
- Immediate Suspension of Political Executions: The group calls for a halt to all political executions in Iran, including those of Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, urging global pressure on the regime to stop the politically motivated killings and release political prisoners.
- Accountability for Crimes Against Humanity: FOFI demands that the UN prosecute Iran’s leaders, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, for their involvement in crimes against humanity, specifically citing the 1988 massacre of over 30,000 political prisoners, which has been declared genocide by former UN Special Rapporteur Professor Javaid Rehman.
- Support for the Global Campaign Against Executions: The organization supports the “No to Execution” campaign initiated by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), and calls on human rights defenders and organizations to join the movement.
- Comprehensive Sanctions Against the Iranian Regime: FOFI advocates for the immediate blacklisting of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and for Iran to be placed under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, citing it as a threat to global peace and security.
- Recognition of the Iranian People’s Struggle: The group calls on the global community to recognize the Iranian people’s right to overthrow the theocratic regime and support the activities of Resistance Units in their quest for a democratic and free Iran.
FOFI’s declaration concludes by urging the United Nations, the European Union, and member states to uphold their obligations to protect human rights and justice, stressing that the time for action is now.
The full text of the declaration follows: