Open Letter from the National Union for Democracy in Iran to the U.S. Congress Condemning Executions in Iran

"The National Union for Democracy in Iran" issued an open letter to members of the U.S. Congress demanding "immediate U.S. action" to end the "execution machine" of the Islamic Republic. In this open letter, signed by Navid Mohibi, the policy director of the organization, Congress members are urged to "immediately" address the alarming situation in Iran, where, according to this organization, "the Islamic Republic regime continues to unjustly execute innocent protesters." The policy director emphasizes that the execution this morning of three young men - Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashemi, and Saeed Yaqoubi - is just one example among over 200 victims of government executions by the Islamic Republic this year. He states: "Violations of fair trial, forced confessions, and the regime's efforts to silence dissenters through illegal actions require the immediate attention and decisive action of the international community, especially the United States and Congress." The letter warns that "failure to act promptly may lead to the loss of many innocent lives by this criminal regime, which has become bolder due to the inaction of the international community." The policy director requests that the U.S. Congress take "practical steps" including "expediting the bipartisan Mahsa Law," urging Congress to have the "President personally condemn these unjust executions," and asking the "Secretary of State" to "personally condemn these executions" and to "better utilize" the State Department's "communication tools to highlight ongoing crimes in Iran." The letter also calls on Congress to urge the State Department to "take action to remove the Islamic Republic of Iran from the presidency of the UN Human Rights Council" to demonstrate that such violations are unacceptable. At the end of the open letter, Congress members are asked to "help prevent the execution and torture of innocents by taking a firm stance against the brutality of the Islamic Republic regime in Iran." Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashemi, and Saeed Yaqoubi were accused of killing two Basij members and a police officer, allegations that they and their families have repeatedly denied, stating they were coerced into making televised confessions after extensive torture. On Wednesday, May 17, they had sent a message from inside the Dastgerd prison in Isfahan asking for help from the "people of Iran," and social media users responded positively by trending the hashtag "Don't let them kill us." The Iranian judiciary executed these three individuals early on Friday morning. Recently, several political figures and human rights organizations worldwide criticized the death sentences issued for Saleh Mirhashemi, Majid Kazemi Sheikh Shabani, and Saeed Yaqoubi Kordsafli. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department stated on Friday in a written response to a question from the Persian section of Voice of America regarding the Biden administration's reaction to the execution of the three defendants in the "Isfahan House" case: "We condemn the execution of Majid Kazemi, Saleh Mirhashemi, and Saeed Yaqoubi by the Iranian regime in the strongest possible terms and share in the grief of the families of these three individuals alongside the people of Iran." The spokesperson emphasized: "We reiterate to the Iranian regime to stop the killings, cease the show trials, and respect the human rights of its people. Unfortunately, we do not expect such actions. Therefore, we continue to work closely with the world, our allies, and partners to condemn and counter such heinous human rights violations." Kamyar Mohin-Sa, an Iranian-Canadian police officer, stated: "With the disclosure of police radio communications, the Isfahan House order should have been halted." A group of Iranians gathered in front of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest the recent executions in Iran on Friday, May 19. A UN fact-finding mission stated that any execution without a "fair trial" is a clear violation of international law. Abolfazl Ghadiyani stated: "Ali Khamenei and his repressive agents are still thirsty for blood." A group of UN experts stated that the Islamic Republic must stop the "terrifying wave of executions."