The ninety-ninth week of the “No To Executions Tuesdays” campaign continues with hunger strikes by prisoners in 55 different prisons across Iran. In this week’s statement, the “No To Executions Tuesdays” campaign, referring to the rising number of executions, states:
“The oppressive government ruling Iran has intensified the pace of executions over the past week and has executed at least 67 individuals, and since November 22 it has sent nearly 271 people to the gallows.
“These executions are carried out without fair trials, without effective access to independent lawyers, and in media silence; a process that indicates the institutionalization of execution as a tool of political and social repression.”
The full text of the statement for the ninety-ninth week of the “No To Executions Tuesdays” campaign is as follows:
Continuation of the “No To Executions Tuesdays” campaign in its ninety-ninth week in 55 different prisons
This week, the “No To Executions Tuesdays” campaign coincides with the International Day of “Reconciliation,” a day that globally symbolizes an end to violence. But in Iran, the authoritarian Iranian regime continues at a terrifying pace to replace justice and dialogue with the noose.
Reconciliation is not possible without truth and justice, and execution negates justice and absolutely denies any possibility of social reconciliation.
This campaign has now continued for ninety-nine tireless weeks in 55 prisons across the country; a collective effort from inside prisons to defend the “right to life” and confront the policy of death.
The oppressive government ruling Iran has intensified executions over the past week and has executed at least 67 individuals, and since November 22 it has sent nearly 271 people to the gallows.
These executions are carried out without fair trials, without effective access to independent lawyers, and in media silence; a process that demonstrates the institutionalization of execution as a tool of political and social repression.
This week, Ramin Zelleh, a political prisoner held in Naqadeh Prison, was sentenced to death by Branch One of the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad on the charge of “baghi” (armed rebellion against the state).
Kurdish Political Prisoner Sentenced to Death After Minutes-Long Trial
Also in the past week, the death sentences of six political prisoners held in Ghezel Hesar Prison and members of the “No To Executions Tuesdays” campaign—Babak Alipour, Pouya Ghobadi, Vahid Bani Amerian, Akbar (Shahrokh) Daneshvar Kar, Mohammad Taghavi, and Abolhassan Montazer—were once again issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.
Ehsan Rostami, a well-known activist in the field of books and publishing, was charged with “baghi” on December 11 and transferred to solitary confinement in Evin Prison; a move that increases the risk of intensified pressure and the issuance of a death sentence.
Continuing these repressions, the Iranian regime arrested a number of participants at the memorial ceremony for the late Khosrow Alikordi. This action is a continuation of the same policy of elimination and intimidation of society.
While condemning these repressions and the rapid executions carried out by the execution-oriented ruling authorities, the “No To Executions Tuesdays” campaign calls on the honorable people of Iran, awakened consciences, and international human rights organizations to be the voice of prisoners sentenced to death, to republish and follow up on their cases, and to provide practical and media support to their families.
In the ninety-ninth week, the “No To Executions Tuesdays” campaign participants are on hunger strike on Tuesday, December 16, in 55 prisons across Iran.
