The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign issued its latest statement on October 27, 2026, marking its 144th consecutive week of strike action. Inmates across 66 prisons throughout Iran conducted coordinated hunger strikes to protest the government’s continued use of capital punishment as a tool of political terror and social suppression.
Over 87 Executions Recorded in 20 Days
The statement sounded a severe alarm regarding an accelerating execution surge, reporting that state authorities hanged at least 87 people over a 20-day span in October alone. Among those executed during this period were seven political prisoners and two women.
Describing capital punishment as an instrument intended to spread fear and extinguish public dissent, the organizers wrote: “Execution in Iran is not merely ending a person’s life; it is a deep wound on the body of society, an instrument to eternally grieve families, and a means to spread fear and silence the people’s voice of protest. But history has shown that no gallows can wrench the desire for freedom and equality from human hearts, and no suppression can permanently silence the voice of justice.”
I am joining a solidarity action with political prisoners in Iran participating in #NoToExecutionTuesdays. On Tuesday October 27, I'm going to start a 24-hour hunger strike.#hungerstrike #Iran #stopexecutions #abolishdeathpenalty
#NoToExecutionTuesdays@CanadaUN@drmaisato pic.twitter.com/c4Vvz04LpH— Dr. David R. Boyd (@EnvirOptimist) October 26, 2026
UN Special Rapporteur Highlights Mounting Human Rights Crisis
The campaign highlighted recent statements by Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran, noting that international attention remains critical in confronting state-sanctioned violence: “In these circumstances, the stance of Ms. Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, against executions and the expanding repression of the people, once again highlights the importance of international attention and response to human rights violations in Iran. Defending the right to life, freedom of expression, and the right to protest is a human responsibility that must not stop at political borders.”
Emphasizing that every condemned prisoner requires an active public defense, campaign organizers called on civil society, bereaved families, trade unions, and human rights activists inside and outside Iran to expand their solidarity: “Today, all prisoners sentenced to death need our voice. We must not allow their names to be lost in silence and indifference. Every step toward the abolition of the death penalty is a step toward a freer and more humane society… Our success in stopping the machine of execution, killing, and suppression depends solely on our solidarity. Let us unite for this crucial goal.”
According to campaign monitors, coordinated hunger strikes for Week 144 took place on October 27, 2026, across both male and female wards in the following 66 prisons:
🎥EXCLUSIVE interview with UN Special Rapporteur Gina Romero who is on hunger strike in support of Iran’s political prisoners. #NoToExecutionTuesdays@Ginitastar tells Simay Azadi: “I can help carry the heavy burden you bear every day.”
Interview by @Ehsaneghbale pic.twitter.com/DAGMgCJdNN
— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) October 12, 2026
- Tehran & Alborz: Evin (Men’s & Women’s Wards), Ghezel Hesar (Units 2, 3 & 4), Karaj Central, Fardis Karaj, Greater Tehran, Qarchak, and Khorin Varamin.
- Isfahan & Central: Asadabad Isfahan, Dastgerd Isfahan, Arak, and Choobindar Qazvin.
- Fars, Kohgiluyeh & Boyer-Ahmad: Adelabad Shiraz (Men’s & Women’s Wards), Shiraz Military Prison, Firozabad Fars, Yasuj, Dehdasht, and Gachsaran.
- Khuzestan, Bushehr, Lorestan & Hormozgan: Sheiban Ahvaz, Sepidar Ahvaz (Men’s & Women’s Wards), Ramhormoz, Behbahan, Khorramabad, Borujerd, Borazjan, and Bandar Abbas.
- Sistan & Baluchestan, Kerman & Yazd: Zahedan (Men’s & Women’s Wards), Iranshahr, Bam, Kahnuj, Kerman, Yazd (Men’s & Women’s Wards), and Tabas.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE | UN Special Rapporteur Leopoldo Maldonado: “We Should Not Wait Until the Scale Becomes Catastrophic”
In an exclusive interview with Simay Azadi, UN Special Rapporteur @SRfreedex_LMG, who joined Iran’s “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign with a 24-hour hunger… https://t.co/Jh9ZxS4rTI pic.twitter.com/vuOboq2S86
— SIMAY AZADI TV (@en_simayazadi) October 20, 2026
- Gorgan & Khorasan Provinces: Mashhad, Sabzevar, Gonbad-e Kavus, Nishapur, Central Birjand, and Gorgan.
- Caspian Coast (Gilan & Mazandaran): Rasht (Men’s & Women’s Wards), Rudsar, Haviq Talesh, Ezbaram Lahijan, Ziabar Sowme’eh Sara, Qaemshahr, and Noor.
- Kermanshah, Ilam & Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari: Dizelabad Kermanshah, Ilam, Darreh Shahr, and Borujen.
- Northwest & Kurdish Regions (Azerbaijan, Kurdistan & Qom): Ardabil, Meshgin Shahr, Tabriz, Urmia, Salmas, Khoy, Naqadeh, Miandoab, Mahabad, Bukan, Saqqez, Baneh, Marivan, Sanandaj, Kamyaran, Ahar, and Langarud Qom.