The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign has continued to expand throughout Iran, reaching its 63rd consecutive week with widespread participation from political prisoners in at least 38 prisons nationwide. Initiated in February 2024, the campaign seeks to abolish the death penalty in Iran and has drawn support despite ongoing repression by the regime.
Reports indicate a renewed surge in death sentences and executions following the conclusion of Nowruz holidays. The campaign’s organizers have emphasized that their opposition extends to all executions, whether targeting political or non-political prisoners.
The organizers of the campaign have urged the international community to condition any relations or transactions with the clerical dictatorship on the complete abolition of the death penalty. The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign continues to highlight the regime’s reliance on executions to maintain control amid growing dissent and internal crises.
A translated version of the campaign’s statement follows:
63rd Week of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign Across 38 Prisons in Iran
Charges of “Baghi” Against Karim Khojasteh; Transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht
With the conclusion of the Nowruz holidays, during which the number of executions relatively decreased, the regime has now resumed its brutal crackdown, significantly increasing the issuance and implementation of death sentences. In recent days, many prisoners have been transferred to quarantine in preparation for execution. On Monday, at least 10 prisoners were moved to the “secure ward” at Ghezel Hesar Prison, indicating that their executions are likely imminent.
Simultaneously, the United Nations Human Rights Council, at the end of its 58th session in Geneva, passed a resolution condemning the widespread human rights violations in Iran and extending the mandate of the “Special Rapporteur” and the “Independent Fact-Finding Mission” for another year.
In March 2025, at least 74 prisoners — including 4 women — were executed.
Iran HRM's report documents mass hangings, political prisoners at risk, and rising defiance.#StopExecutionsinIran @WebDPN
Read the full March 2025 report:
https://t.co/TEq8IyStT7 pic.twitter.com/eOMLMQWFiA— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) April 7, 2025
The resolution also expanded the Fact-Finding Mission’s mandate beyond the 2022 uprising, now encompassing other crimes committed by the regime, as well as the collection of evidence and documents for the prosecution of responsible officials.
Additionally, this week, the European Parliament passed a resolution condemning the broad wave of executions in Iran and reaffirming death sentences against Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani. The resolution also renewed calls for the release of all political and ideological prisoners and reiterated its demand for the European Union to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
🚨 Karim Khojasteh, activist & former political prisoner, was re-arrested on baseless baghi charges & sent to Lakan Prison. No new evidence, no due process — just pre-Nowruz pressure to silence dissent.https://t.co/vNe3fxHAwO
— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) April 8, 2025
Nevertheless, the Islamic Republic, indifferent to both domestic and international pressure and protests, continues its campaign of repression and the issuance of death sentences. For instance, the Supreme Court has rejected the appeal of Kurdish political prisoner Pakhshan Azizi for the second time, further heightening the risk of her execution. Meanwhile, Karim Khojasteh, another political prisoner held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, faces charges of “Baghi” (armed rebellion against the state), which could pave the way for an imminent execution sentence.
We, the members of the ‘No to Executions Tuesdays’ campaign, express our profound concern over the escalating threat of execution sentences targeting political and ideological prisoners. We categorically condemn these sentences and warn against the regime’s extension of executions to non-political prisoners sentenced to death. Furthermore, we appreciate international support and call on the global community to make any form of engagement or transaction with the Islamic Republic contingent upon the complete abolition of the death penalty.
In the 63rd #NoDeathPenaltyTuesdays weekly hunger strike in 38 prisons, prisoners urge the world: make all relations with the Islamic Republic conditional on abolishing the death penalty.#StopExecutionsinIranhttps://t.co/VPwymPZnSu
— IRAN HRM (@IranHrm) April 8, 2025
Participating Prisons in the 63rd Week of the Campaign (Tuesday, April 8, 2025):
- Evin Prison (Women’s Ward, Wards 4 and 8)
- Ghezel Hesar Prison (Units 3 and 4)
- Central Prison of Karaj
- Greater Tehran Prison
- Khorin Prison of Varamin
- Chubin Dar Prison of Qazvin
- Arak Prison
- Khorramabad Prison
- Esfahan Asadabad Prison
- Dastgerd Prison of Esfahan
- Sheiban Prison of Ahvaz
- Sepidar Prison of Ahvaz (Women’s and Men’s Wards)
- Shiraz Military Prison
- Adelabad Prison of Shiraz (Women’s and Men’s Wards)
- Borazjan Prison
- Ramhormoz Prison
- Bam Prison
- Kahnuj Prison
- Tabas Prison
- Joven Prison
- Mashhad Prison
- Gonbad-e Kavus Prison
- Qaemshahr Prison
- Rasht Prison (Men’s and Women’s Wards)
- Roudsar Prison
- Haviq Prison of Talesh
- Dieselabad Prison of Kermanshah
- Ardabil Prison
- Tabriz Prison
- Urmia Prison
- Salmas Prison
- Khoy Prison
- Naqadeh Prison
- Miandoab Prison
- Saqqez Prison
- Baneh Prison
- Marivan Prison
- Kamyaran Prison
“No to Executions Tuesdays” Campaign 63rd Week
April 8, 2025