The 53rd Week of Hunger Strikes and the “No to Execution Tuesdays” Campaign Across 34 Prisons

In Iran, a powerful movement against state executions continues to gather momentum as the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign, initiated by political prisoners in Qezel Hesar Prison on January 29, 2024, enters its second year. This grassroots protest has become a nationwide symbol of resistance against what activists call “executions with political objectives.” Today, this campaign marks its 53rd consecutive week of hunger strikes, involving inmates from 34 prisons across the country.
A Movement Born from Injustice

The campaign was launched in response to the Iranian judiciary’s brutal use of executions and inhumane death sentences as tools of repression. In a recent statement, participants declared:

“We, political and non-political prisoners in 34 prisons from the four corners of Iran, have begun the second year of the ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ campaign with renewed determination. On the 53rd Tuesday of this campaign, we went on hunger strike. May our voices unite with the voices of Iranian women, men, and youth outside the prison walls, contributing to the defense of human rights and the dismantling of gallows.”

The prisoners noted that more than 1,000 individuals were executed in the past year, with over 110 executions occurring in the previous month alone. The campaign’s anniversary coincided with the forced transfer of two political prisoners, Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, who were sentenced to death and moved from Evin Prison to Qezel Hesar Prison.
Nationwide Participation

Over the past year, the “No to Execution Tuesdays” movement has expanded beyond prison walls, gaining support from human rights activists, international organizations, and political entities. In the 53rd week, prisoners from facilities such as Evin Prison, Greater Tehran Central Prison, Shiraz Nezam Prison, and dozens of others joined the hunger strike. These facilities are infamous for overcrowding, with some holding inmates at more than three times their intended capacity.
The Scale of Executions Under Iran’s Regime

Executions in Iran are widely viewed as a political tool employed by the regime’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to instill fear and suppress dissent. Since the appointment of Masoud Pezeshkian as the regime’s president, at least 783 prisoners have been executed in just six months. Confidential judiciary documents revealed by the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) highlight the grim reality:

Over 5,370 prisoners are currently on death row or sentenced to Qisas (retribution).
Iran’s prison system includes 579 facilities, many of which are severely overcrowded and dilapidated.
Annually, approximately 600,000 individuals are incarcerated, impacting over 2 million family members who face significant social and economic challenges.

International Solidarity and Calls for Action

The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign has garnered international support. Over 3,000 parliamentarians, mayors, and influential figures from 78 countries have signed a statement urging decisive global action to halt executions in Iran. The statement reads:

“Iranian authorities are using executions for political purposes, seeking to instill fear and prevent uprisings. These executions must be recognized as political in nature. The lack of global response to decades of suppression and mass executions has emboldened the regime to continue its acts of terror. We endorse and support Maryam Rajavi’s call to end executions in Iran and her commitment to abolishing the death penalty, as outlined in her Ten-Point Plan for Iran’s future.”
The Role of Maryam Rajavi

Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the NCRI, described the campaign as a testament to the resilience of individuals who refuse to remain silent in the face of oppression. “The ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ campaign symbolizes the unyielding determination of Iran’s prisoners, who have turned captivity into a platform for resistance. The international community must condition relations with this regime on the cessation of executions and torture, holding its leaders accountable for crimes against humanity and genocide,” Rajavi stated.

A Call to Action

The “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign stands as a beacon of hope and a call for justice. It urges the world to not only condemn the regime’s actions but also to act decisively in support of human rights in Iran. The campaign’s persistence and growth underscore the Iranian people’s unwavering demand for freedom and justice, even in the face of brutal repression.

Source » irannewsupdate