Political prisoners in Iran are on hunger strike in 44 prisons during the sixty-ninth week of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign. This campaign was initiated by prisoners to protest against executions and to advocate for their abolition. It has continued for more than a year.
In this week’s statement, the striking prisoners expressed heartfelt gratitude for the widespread solidarity of the Iranian people with the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign.
They also referred to the power and water outages affecting the public and disrupting people’s lives, writing: “At a time when the country is facing systemic corruption and the inefficiency of the ruling authoritarian structure—conditions that have disrupted citizens’ lives and deprived them of basic necessities such as water and electricity—the issuance and implementation of inhumane death sentences has not only not stopped, but has in fact increased with the clear will of the regime.”
The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign: Ongoing hunger strike in 41 prisons across Iran
The full text of the statement from the prisoners participating in the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign is as follows:
In its sixty-ninth week, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign expanded to include the prisons of Mahabad, Bukan, and Yasuj, bringing the total to 44 participating prisons.
At a time when the country is plagued by systemic corruption and the inefficiency of the ruling authoritarian structure, disrupting citizens’ lives and depriving them of basic necessities such as water and electricity, the regime has not only failed to halt the issuance and execution of inhumane death sentences, but has escalated them with clear intent.
The regime consistently refrains from publishing accurate statistics on prisoner numbers and executions. However, based on reports received by the campaign, since April 20, more than 129 people—including four women—have been executed. Just last week, 25 prisoners were executed, including two juvenile offenders who were hanged in Malayer Prison and Adelabad Prison in Shiraz. This was done without any regard for public opinion or international human rights bodies, stripping them of their “right to life.”
In response to this violence and systematic violation of the “right to life,” protests by the families of death row prisoners have increased, and the campaign has received growing support from youth across various cities. These expressions of support have taken diverse and creative forms among the public.
We, the members of the campaign, salute all supporters of “No to Execution” and call on all people—especially the youth—to raise their voices in every street and alley against this inhumane punishment and support this movement in any way possible. We invite all opponents of the death penalty to stand with grieving families and not leave them alone during protest gatherings.
Last week, thanks to the efforts of activists both inside and outside the country, widespread solidarity with the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign took shape. We sincerely thank all individuals, organizations, political parties, civil groups, and human rights institutions who participated in this grassroots movement.
Additionally, a group of prisoners in Mahabad, Bukan, and Yasuj prisons have announced that starting this week, they are joining the campaign and will go on hunger strike every Tuesday. With the inclusion of these three prisons, the total number of participating prisons has reached 44.
On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, prisoners in 44 prisons will go on hunger strike for the sixty-ninth consecutive week.
