On January 28, 2025, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign marked its 53rd week, signifying the start of its second year. This unprecedented initiative, spearheaded by prisoners in Iran, has become a national and international symbol of resistance against the regime’s brutal use of the death penalty. Political and non-political prisoners in 34 facilities across the country participate in weekly hunger strikes every Tuesday, protesting the Iranian regime’s alarming execution rates.
Origins of the Campaign
The campaign began on January 29, 2024, at Qezelhessar Prison, on the seventh day after the executions of political prisoners Mohammad Qobadlou and Farhad Salimi. These executions sparked an outcry from fellow inmates. The initial call for action came from death row inmates, who pleaded with prisoners and the public to join their cause and oppose the wave of executions sweeping the nation. Since then, the campaign has gained momentum, spreading to prisons nationwide and drawing attention from human rights organizations, activists, and global observers.
The statement issued by the campaign on its anniversary reflects the gravity of the situation: “We begin the second year of this campaign under conditions where, during the past Gregorian year, more than 1,000 prisoners were executed. The launch of the ‘No to Execution Tuesdays’ campaign last year came as the wave of executions had become so widespread and unprecedented globally that it could not be considered merely a coincidence or a strictly legal-judicial matter.”
It is worth noting that Simay Azadi, through its sources from inside Iran has been covering this campaign since it has begun.
Escalating Execution Rates
Iran’s execution statistics are alarming. In 2024 alone, more than 1,000 prisoners were executed, with over 110 executions taking place in the month of Dey (December 21, 2024 – January 19, 2025). The campaign’s statement highlighted that this surge in executions is not merely a judicial process but a deliberate political strategy to instill fear and suppress dissent. As prisoners stated in their anniversary statement, “The death penalty in Iran has ceased to be a legal punishment and has turned into a political tool for suppressing and exacting revenge on the people of Iran.”
International Endorsements
The “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign has received widespread international recognition and support.
- Professor Javaid Rehman, the former UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran, praised the campaign in his official communications, highlighting its critical role in resisting human rights abuses.
- Dr. Mai Sato, the current UN Special Rapporteur, commended the campaign in a video message on October 10, 2024, describing it as “an unwavering commitment to justice and human rights that shines in the face of the regime’s oppressive actions.”
- A coalition of 68 international human rights organizations from four continents issued a joint statement in solidarity with the campaign, urging global leaders to pressure the Iranian regime to halt executions.
- Numerous activists and organizations, including the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), have actively supported the campaign, amplifying its message through media and advocacy efforts.
A Movement that Transcends Prison Walls
The campaign’s impact extends beyond Iran’s prison walls. Prisoners’ hunger strikes have inspired solidarity among Iranians and garnered support from human rights defenders worldwide. Media outlets and advocacy groups regularly publish reports on the campaign’s progress, ensuring it remains in the global spotlight.
The prisoners participating in the campaign expressed their hopes in their statement: “In the campaign’s 53rd Tuesday, we go on hunger strike, hoping that our voices from behind the thick prison walls join those of the women, men, and youth of Iran, contributing to the defense of human rights and the abolition of gallows.”
The Role of Solidarity in Sustaining the Campaign
Over the past year, the campaign has demonstrated that collective action and international pressure can challenge authoritarian practices. From the beginning, the movement has been sustained by the bravery of prisoners and the tireless efforts of their supporters, both within and outside Iran. By uniting voices across borders, the “No to Executions Tuesdays” campaign continues to resist Iran’s use of capital punishment and advocate for fundamental human rights