Emphasizing the 'Tuesdays No to Execution' Campaign: Disarm Rulers by Abolishing the Death Penalty

The 'Tuesdays No to Execution' campaign, coinciding with 'International Human Rights Day', issued a statement received by Voice of America, describing the 'Velayat-e Faqih government' as 'the world record holder for gross human rights violations' during the 46th week of hunger strikes by prisoners on December 20. This civil campaign pointed out that 76 years have passed since the designation of this day by the UN, highlighting the repression in the Islamic Republic, stating: 'Over 100,000 individuals have been executed during the 45 years of this regime; in just one instance, 75 individuals have been executed in the past 20 days, and in less than 9 months of the year 1403 (2024), 770 individuals have been hanged.' The authors of the statement referenced recent developments in Syria and the release of images and reports from what has occurred in 'the terrifying prisons of Syria', writing: 'This serves as a warning for all awakened consciences and human rights organizations to pursue more serious follow-ups and hold accountable those responsible for such crimes, who continue their killings and atrocities under the guise of 'legal executions' without any accountability for their actions.' This civil campaign, which has been ongoing for weeks to abolish the death penalty, has gradually expanded. In their latest statement, they congratulated the free people of Syria and the resilient prisoners who have now been freed after years of torture, considering this development a 'turning point in the increased attention of human rights activists and freedom lovers against death sentences' and called for the expansion of this struggle into a 'nationwide, more collective, and united movement' to 'disarm the rulers from this criminal weapon.' According to the campaign's announcement, on Tuesday, December 20, 1403, during the 46th week of the campaign, prisoners in 25 prisons including Evin (women's section, wards 4 and 8), Qezel Hesar (units 3 and 4), Karaj Central Prison, Greater Tehran Prison, Arak Prison, Khorramabad Prison, Asadabad Isfahan Prison, Dashtgerd Isfahan Prison, Shiban Ahvaz Prison, Nazem Shiraz Prison, Bam Prison, Kahnouj Prison, Mashhad Prison, Qaemshahr Prison, Rasht (men's and women's sections), Ardabil Prison, Tabriz Prison, Urmia Prison, Salmas Prison, Khoy Prison, Naqdeh Prison, Saqez Prison, Baneh Prison, Marivan Prison, and Kamyaran Prison will be on hunger strike. The 'Tuesdays No to Execution' campaign began last year by a number of political prisoners aiming to abolish the death penalty and end governmental violence, gradually gaining support from other prisoners. The continuation of the 'Tuesdays No to Execution' campaign and the request from the Writers' Association to combat censorship, the execution of 8 prisoners by the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic, the death sentences of six political prisoners on charges of 'baghi' based on 'judge's knowledge', and the emphasis of two political prisoners on the non-partisan nature of the 'Tuesdays No to Execution' campaign highlight the oppressive government's intent to instill fear.