Prisoners of the 'No to Execution' Campaign Warn of Potential Increase in Executions Following Elections

Prisoners of the 'No to Execution' campaign, on the twenty-fourth week of their hunger strike, have warned about a possible increase in executions after the elections and condemned the death sentence issued for Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist. They called on the public and human rights organizations to become more active in opposing executions and supporting death row prisoners, especially Sharifeh Mohammadi. These prisoners, scattered across various prisons in the country, referred to the experience of increased executions following past elections in the Islamic Republic, considering the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi and the arrest of Rana Kukor, the sister of a political prisoner sentenced to death, as signs of this 'worrisome' trend. Radio Farda reported on Thursday, July 14, that Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist, was sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court of Rasht. She was sentenced to death on charges of 'Baghi' (rebellion). This ruling has faced significant backlash, with the 'Campaign to Defend Sharifeh Mohammadi' describing it as 'medieval and criminal.' Reports indicate severe torture and pressure on this labor activist during her detention. The Teachers' Union Council stated that the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi aims to 'suppress' activists. The prisoners of the 'No to Execution' campaign also wrote in their recent statement, received by Radio Farda on Tuesday, July 18, regarding this death sentence: 'One of the baseless accusations against Sharifeh Mohammadi is distributing 'No to Execution' flyers. The effort to stop the execution machine is not only not a crime but should become a public demand. Just as retired teachers chanted 'No to Execution and called for the freedom of Sharifeh Mohammadi' on Sunday in the streets, we also strongly condemn this unjust ruling and demand nationwide support to stop the execution machine.' Prisoners in Qazalhesar prison have been protesting against the widespread executions of prisoners in Iran since February 9 of last year by launching the 'No to Execution Hunger Strike Campaign.' In recent weeks, this campaign has received support from prisoners in Evin, Khorramabad, Central Karaj, Khoy, Naqdeh, Mashhad, and Saqqez prisons, with several prisoners from these prisons joining the campaign. In this context, the Iran Human Rights Organization based in Norway reported on July 13 that at least 249 people were executed in Iran in the first six months of 2024, with 147 of them on drug-related charges. This number represents a 30% decrease compared to the same period last year, but the Iran Human Rights Organization warns of a potential sharp increase in executions after the presidential elections. Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam, the director of this organization, explained: 'The officials of the Islamic Republic reduce the execution of sentences to encourage people to participate in the elections. However, past experiences show that immediately after the elections, the government reminds the people of its reality with a sharp increase in execution statistics. The people of Iran and the international community must prepare now to respond appropriately to a possible wave of executions.' Amnesty International reported two weeks ago that at least 853 people were executed in Iran in 2023, a 48% increase from the previous year, attributing this to 'the Iranian government's efforts to instill fear and terror among the people regarding the consequences of protesting against the regime.' With this ongoing trend, the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva extended the mandate of its special rapporteur on Iran on April 15.