In its 44th consecutive week of protests, on Tuesday, November 26, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign, held in 25 different prisons across Iran, described the issuance of “mass execution sentences” as “the strategy of Iran’s authoritarian regime to instill fear and terror.”

The statement reads: “While Iranian society is grappling with severe and complex livelihood problems, and the regime has reached a deadlock in resolving them, it considers increasing executions as the only solution to prevent the recurrence of widespread popular protests.”

In this regard, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign highlighted the “daily executions” in various Iranian prisons, adding that “at least 25 individuals have been executed in just the past week.”

According to the statement, last month alone, “the regime executed over 140 people, leaving hundreds of families in mourning. These sentences serve no deterrent purpose and are not aimed at punishing individuals but are political in nature, intended solely to spread fear and repression in society.”

In this context, the human rights news agency HRANA reported on Thursday, November 21, that between October 22 and November 21 alone, at least 133 executions were carried out, including one public execution, 24 sentencing decisions, and seven death penalty confirmations.

The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign, referencing the issuance of “mass death sentences,” including for six defendants in the Ekbatan case, wrote that these actions should be seen as part of “the regime’s strategy to assess and prevent the start or spread of protests by the fed-up Iranian people.”

The campaign added: “In a repressive move, the authoritarian regime ruling the country has recently issued inhumane death sentences for two Kurdish political prisoners in Urmia Central Prison: Mehran Hassan-Zadeh, who was arrested during the 2022 protests, and Hamid Abdollahzadeh.”

The campaign’s statement emphasizes that the issuance of these sentences coincides with the 71st condemnation of the Iranian regime by the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee for gross human rights violations.

The statement also noted the transfer of four Arab political prisoners sentenced to death from Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz to solitary confinement, adding that it has been nearly 40 days with no information about the status of Adnan Ghobeishavi, Ali Mojadam, Moein Khanfari, and Mohammadreza Moghaddam, warning that their lives are “in serious danger.”

The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign, while condemning all executions, the unjust judicial processes, and the blatant human rights violations in Iran, issued a serious warning about the escalation of executions. It called on all organizations and individuals worldwide, including political, human rights, civil, and labor activists, to make greater efforts to save the lives of prisoners on death row in Iran.

The statement emphasized: “We continue to stress collective solidarity and united action to stop the machinery of killing.”

The statement also noted that members of the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign have been holding hunger strikes on Tuesdays for 44 consecutive weeks in protest against execution sentences in Iran.

In a remarkable show of solidarity, 580 mayors in France have issued a collective call to end executions in Iran. Their statement supports the initiative led by Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), who has consistently championed the abolition of capital punishment, as outlined in her “10-point plan for the future of Iran.” This movement underscores the growing international concern over the alarming increase in executions under the current Iranian administration.

The French mayors expressed profound concern about the sharp rise in executions, which far exceeds the rates of previous years. Among those executed are political dissidents, including Reza Rassaei, who was arrested during the November 2022 uprisings in Shahriar, Tehran Province. Observers note that such executions serve as a tool for the Iranian regime to pursue political objectives, primarily by instilling fear and suppressing potential uprisings. As the mayors aptly stated, “Every execution carried out under this regime is inherently political.”

The international community’s lack of decisive response to Iran’s suppression and mass executions has emboldened the regime. Silence from global actors has inadvertently encouraged the continuation of these repressive practices. The regime has systematically weaponized executions to silence dissent and maintain its grip on power. Many analysts argue that the absence of meaningful international condemnation has contributed to this troubling trend.

A UN Fact-Finding Mission, in a recent report, labeled acts such as killings, imprisonment, torture, and sexual violence by the Iranian regime as crimes against humanity. These findings have further highlighted the urgent need for global action. In an alarming revelation, the report cited cases of torture and inhumane treatment directed toward political prisoners and opposition members.

As of early 2024, political prisoners in 20 prisons across Iran have launched a weekly hunger strike campaign titled “No to Executions Tuesdays.” This movement, held every Tuesday, reflects the prisoners’ determination to challenge the regime’s draconian policies and amplify calls for justice. Their courage has drawn attention to the plight of those who are often forgotten or silenced behind prison walls.

The July 2024 report by UN Special Rapporteur Professor Javaid Rehman further cemented these concerns. According to his findings, the Iranian regime’s actions, including mass executions, torture, and other inhumane acts, have been systematically aimed at members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). These acts, carried out with genocidal intent, represent a grim chapter in Iran’s modern history.

The French mayors’ call aligns with Maryam Rajavi’s steadfast advocacy for justice and human rights in Iran. Her 10-point plan envisions a future where the death penalty is abolished, and fundamental freedoms are guaranteed. The mayors emphasized their support for Rajavi’s vision, stating, “We endorse Maryam Rajavi’s call to end executions in Iran and her firm commitment to abolishing the death penalty as enshrined in her 10-point plan.”

The regime’s strategic use of executions has become a hallmark of its oppressive rule. By fostering fear and eliminating dissent, the authorities aim to stifle any momentum toward popular uprisings. However, the growing chorus of international voices, including the French mayors, reflects a shifting tide. It signifies a rejection of the status quo and a demand for accountability.

In conclusion, the call by 580 French mayors to end executions in Iran represents a significant step in rallying international support against the Iranian regime’s human rights abuses. The courage of political prisoners, coupled with the steadfast advocacy of Maryam Rajavi and the findings of UN reports, underscores the urgent need for decisive global action. This collective effort could pave the way toward justice, accountability, and a future where the dignity and rights of all Iranians are respected.