Statement from 18 Human Rights Organizations: The International Community Must Prevent the Execution of 4 Political Prisoners in Iran

In continuation of the condemnation of death sentences issued for several political prisoners in Iran, 18 human rights organizations warned in a statement about the imminent execution of four Kurdish political prisoners and called on the international community to take immediate action to prevent these executions. The judicial apparatus of the Islamic Republic has sentenced Mohsen Mazloom, Pejman Fatehi, Vafa Azarbahar, and Hajir Farahmand to death. These four were arrested on July 23, 2022, in Urmia by agents of the 'FARAJA' intelligence organization. They have been sentenced to death on charges described as 'waging war against God and corruption on earth through espionage for Israel.' According to the statement, signed by various human rights groups including the 'Impact Iran' coalition, the Abdolrahman Boroumand Foundation, the Iran Human Rights Organization, and several organizations advocating for the rights of ethnic minorities, Messrs. Mazloom, Fatehi, Azarbahar, and Farahmand have not had the right to contact the outside world since their arrest and were 'tortured to obtain forced confessions that were broadcast on Iranian state television.' The 18 human rights organizations further described the trials of these four Kurdish political prisoners in the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran as 'severely violating principles of fair trial and judicial processes according to international standards.' They warned that 'given the hasty confirmation of the death penalty for these four amid a campaign of repression against dissenters and intimidation of Iranian society through increased executions, the risk of immediate execution threatens their lives.' The statement emphasized that 'international condemnation in cases where individuals are at risk of execution, if accompanied by actively diplomatic actions and firm steps to hold the Iranian government accountable, will no longer be merely symbolic.' These human rights organizations consider 'these actions' as 'powerful tools in preventing executions and saving lives in Iran.' The 18 signatory organizations pointed out that 'many others are at risk of execution' and that Iran continues to have one of the highest rates of executions in the world, stating: 'The widespread and unlawful use of the death penalty by the government, even in the face of repeated calls from UN human rights experts and civil society organizations, shows that the Iranian government will continue its relentless executions unless the United Nations and the international community significantly raise the political cost of this action for the Iranian government.' They have called for the United Nations and its members, including the human rights mechanisms of this organization, to 'immediately, unanimously, and publicly demand that Iranian authorities stop the execution of Mohsen Mazloom, Pejman Fatehi, Vafa Azarbahar, and Hajir Farahmand and revoke their death sentences.' The signatories of this statement have requested that 'diplomatic channels be utilized, both through countries that have embassies in Iran and through contact with Iran's permanent missions in Geneva, Vienna, and New York.' The signatories include the 'Impact Iran' coalition, the Abdolrahman Boroumand Foundation, the Ahwaz Human Rights Organization, the Baloch Activists Campaign, the Baloch Human Rights Group, Halvash, the Hengaw Human Rights Organization, the Iran Human Rights Organization, Kurdpa, the Association for the Defense of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran, the 'Together Against the Death Penalty' coalition, the International Education Development Center, the Geneva-based Kurdish Human Rights Association, the 'Azerbaijanis' Human Rights Association in Iran', the Rasank collection, the 'People and Nations Without Representation' organization, the 'All Human Rights for All Iranians' organization, and the Siamak Pourzand Foundation. The risk of execution for Anvar Khazari, Farhad Salimi, Kamran Sheikhe, and Khosrow Basharat, Kurdish prisoners is also highlighted. The wife of Vafa Azarbahar, a Kurdish political prisoner sentenced to death, called for international support and the people of Iran through a video. Shiva Mahbubi stated: 'The issuance of multiple death sentences, imprisonment, and flogging is due to the government's fear of protests.' The wife of Mohsen Mazloom, one of the four political prisoners, urged: 'Do not let them hang them.' Amnesty International stated that four Kurdish prisoners in Qezel Hessar are in 'serious danger of execution.' The United States condemned the issuance of death sentences for the four political prisoners. The annual report of Human Rights Watch indicated that the Iranian government continues its 'oppressive crackdown.' A group of activists opposing the Islamic Republic staged a sit-in in London in support of Mojahid Korkor and Reza Rasayi. Activists and human rights organizations warned about the execution of Reza Rasayi and Mojahid Korkor. Amnesty International called for the halt of the execution of Abdolreza Rasayi.