May 19, 2026 – Prisoners participating in the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign entered the 121st consecutive week of coordinated hunger strikes across 56 prisons in Iran, warning of intensifying executions, repression, and the normalization of violence by the ruling authorities.
In this week’s statement, the campaign alleged that the authorities have spent more than two months militarizing public spaces, conducting weapon training in streets and public gatherings while using children in these events, which they say aims to normalize violence and suppression.
The campaign reported the execution of Abdoljalil Shahbakhsh, a Baluch political prisoner, in Zahedan Prison. It also announced the execution of Mohammad Abbasi, described as one of those arrested during the January 2026 uprising.
The statement highlighted the case of Abbasi’s daughter:
“Mohammad Abbasi, one of those arrested during the January uprising, was executed for participating in the protests, while his daughter, Fatemeh Abbasi, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison and is held in Evin Prison.”
The campaign argued that executions in Iran extend beyond political prisoners and are used systematically to suppress society.
“Execution is not only an unjust judicial punishment that takes away the right to life; it is the regime’s most important tool of repression and state killing.”
The statement further asserted that executions are intended to deter resistance among younger generations:
“They execute young people to frighten society, but this violence plants the seeds of awareness, resistance, and uprising.”
The campaign maintained that escalating repression reflects fear of public dissent rather than strength:
“The ruling dictatorship uses executions for one purpose: to spread fear throughout society.”
Concluding the statement, participants in “No to Execution Tuesdays” called for broader unity among activists and civil society:
“We call on political, human rights, labor, and civil activists — and on workers, teachers, students, and retirees — to unite and make ‘No to Execution’ heard by the conscience of the world.”
The campaign, now in its 121st week, continues to frame opposition to capital punishment as part of a broader struggle for justice, equality, and political freedom in Iran.