Amir Hossein Moradi and Ali Younesi, two imprisoned Sharif University of Technology students, have called on students nationwide to join the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign. In a statement issued from Evin Prison, the two political prisoners urged unity against the regime’s execution policies, stating, “Let us stand hand in hand against executions, the most fundamental point of shared humanity.”
The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign is a coordinated protest involving hunger strikes across 25 prisons in Iran. Now in its 43rd week, the initiative aims to draw attention to the alarming surge in executions this year, which has surpassed 650, including many targeting protesters from recent uprisings. Participants aim to highlight the human cost of these policies and push for international intervention.
Moradi and Younesi are emblematic of the regime’s repression of dissent. Both students are exceptional talents: Younesi is a gold medalist in the International Astronomy Olympiad, and Moradi is a physics student and silver medalist in the National Astronomy Olympiad. Arrested in April 2019, they were accused of acting against “national security” and alleged ties to the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK/PMOI). After enduring over two years in solitary confinement, both were sentenced to 16 years in prison following trials criticized for lacking transparency and fairness.
In the Face of Increased Oppression, #Iranian Prisoners Stand Firm Against #DeathPenaltyhttps://t.co/d1pCklOvYh
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) September 3, 2024
In their statement, the students recounted the human toll of executions. “Execution hits home when you see a fellow prisoner, smiling yesterday, never return after their name is called,” they wrote, recalling the grief of families and the devastating impact on communities. The campaign seeks to channel this pain into resistance, uniting people inside and outside Iran against the regime’s oppressive use of capital punishment.
Moradi and Younesi’s call has inspired solidarity among students and political prisoners alike, amplifying a movement that refuses to be silenced. Their bravery in the face of repression is a testament to the resilience of Iran’s youth and their unwavering hope for a better future.
